Homo Habilis

In the evolutionary stage of humans, the Homo habilis is the first to show signs of being a separate species from a chimpanzee, and the first species that could be classified as "human." It is thought that the Homo habilis perhaps descended from the australopithecine, but more scientists believe that their nearest ancestor is the Homo rudolfensis. The Homo rudolfensis was a massive ape-like creature.

The time of the Homo habilis starts around 2.4 millions years ago and ends around 1.5 million years ago. Though their species existed for only a short time, their evolutionary accomplishments changed future species forever.

In appearance the Homo habilis was still very primitive and the species that looked the least like other hominids. Though their molars were smaller than that of a chimpanzee, they were still much larger than modern day humans. Their skull was thinner than a chimpanzee's and had a more distinctive round shape. The Homo habilis also had a forehead above their eyebrows. Studies have shown that the cranial capacity of a Homo habilis was a little less than half the size of a modern hominid.

The size of an average Homo habilis is debatable. However, it is believed that the average male stood 1.3 meters tall and weighed approximately 37 kilos. While the average female Homo habilis is thought to have been 1.2 meters tall and weigh 32 kilos.

The first recorded Homo habilis finding is credited to Louis and Mary Leakey. The fossils were found in Tanzania, East Africa between the years 1962 and 1964. Later findings wee made in 1986 by Donald Johanson and Tim White in Olduvai.

While some scientists argue the australopithecine may have been the first to use stone tools, others believe that it began with the Homo habilis. Items known as "stone flakes" have been found near the fossils of Homo habilis. The stone tools are said to have given Homo habilis great advantages previously unavailable to primates and gave them a higher chance of survival in areas too dangerous for primates.

Even with these tools, however, the sophistication of the Homo habilis still falls short of its later descendants. The stone tools used by Homo habilis were believed to have been used more for savaging than for self defense and hunting. In fact some fossils found from this time show the Homo habilis played a large role in the diet of Dinofelis (a large leopard-type cat).

Despite the advances Homo habilis made in the evolutionary cycle, they were still a far less advanced species than modern humans. In later millennia, hominids formed longer legs compared to arms, slimmer hips to help them walk, a more advanced sweating system, a narrower birth canal and larger cranial capacities.

Because Homo habilis looked so little like later hominids, it is debated as to whether or not they fit under the same category. Either way, most scientists agree that the Homo habilis was a major stepping stone in evolution.