Anatomy
Small body, relatively larger brain than australopiths and hands capable of precision manipulation.
COMPREHENSIVE INTERACTIVE REPORT · Medium
Homo habilis
Early Homo2.4–1.4 million years ago · Eastern and southern Africa
Current synthesis
A variable early Homo grouping associated historically with larger brains and Oldowan tools.
Ecology & food
Flexible use of woodland and open environments.
Technology
Oldowan stone tools occur in the same broad record, but species-level authorship is rarely secure.
Clothing evidence
No securely attributed evidence of made clothing. Reconstruction is shown without garments.
Behavior & social evidence
Carcass processing, marrow access and socially learned tool production are plausible.
Relationships
May include more than one early Homo population and overlaps with Homo erectus-grade forms.
Controversies
Which fossils belong in the taxon and whether H. rudolfensis should be separate.
What reaches forward
Shows how difficult it is to define where Homo begins.
SOURCE DESK