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Anthropology 001
Homo Habilis
Homo habilis, one of the earliest members of the genus Homo, lived around 2.4 to 1.4
million years ago. Its name, Homo habilis, means “handy man”, because this species was thought
to represent the first maker of stone tools. Homo habilis has a slightly larger braincase and
smaller face and teeth than the Australopithecus or older hominin species. However, the species
still retains some ape-like features, including long arms and a moderately-prognathic face. Homo
habilis is very distinct from the Australopithecine in many ways, but it still exhibits many
primitive traits.
Homo habilis was discovered in 1960 by a team of scientists led by Louis and Mary
Leakey. The team uncovered the fossilized remains of a unique early human between 1960 and
