Read and study the following passage about Homo Habilis. Then go to the Quia game links and play first the vocabulary game then the review game. Take the Quia Quiz. When you have successfully answered all the questions in the games and quiz, you will enter the Inspiration site and complete/study the outline for Homo Habilis. The outline will become your "notes" for the final test. As we progress through this unit, you will complete more and more of the Inspiration outlines yourselves.
HOMO HABILIS
Earth was changing. A new species of hominid evolved which was better suited to the environment. It was called Homo Habilis or "Handy Man". Homo is the latin word for man and habilis the latin word for handy. This species of hominid is considered the first ancestor of humans.
Homo Habilis, like Australopithecus, lived in the Rift Valley of Africa as well as parts of South Africa. They too were nomadic, following their food sources. They scavenged for food just like Australopithecus. Unlike Australopithecus they were able to make primitive tools from rocks found on the ground. These they used to cut food from plants and the bones of animals. They had no weapons but did chase down small animals to eat. They cooperated in gathering food and hunting game. They were also capable of making simple shelters from tree branches.
In appearance they had a more rounded skull with slightly smaller teeth and jaws than Australopithecus. They had a larger brain and increased intelligence. They were the first species able to use their culture to adapt to their environment. They were able to plan and work out abstract problems such as tool making and the construction of simple shelters.
We know they existed from many fossil finds in Africa. The Leaky's found stone tools in Olduvai Gorge. Their son Jonathon found the partial skull of an Homo Habilis boy. It was named "Johnny's Child" in his honor. Another famous fossil find was "Twiggy", a partial skull and teeth, also found in Olduvai Gorge.
