P-27 Human Evolution
P-27 Human Evolution
P-27 Human Evolution
A schematic representation of evolution of man. Age and cranial capacity are also
given.
Homo sapiens sapiens
(25000 years, 1300 – 1600 c.c, average 1450 c.c)
Homo erectus
(1.5 mya, 900 c.c)
A. robustus
A. boisei
Australopithecus africanus
(5 mya, 500 c.c)
GAP
9-10 mya
Ramapithecus
(14-15 mya)
Homo habilis (Able / Skillful man / The Tool Maker / Handy Man)
The fossils discovered by L.S.B. Leakey and his wife Mary Leakey (1960) from
Pleistocene rocks in East Africa
Lived about 2 mya
About 1.2 – 1.5 m tall.
Bipedal locomotion and erect posture.
Omnivorous feeders, probably did not eat meat.
Brain capacity was between 650 – 800 c.c.
Habilis = mentally able / skilful
Was the first too maker, used tools of chipped stones extensively.
Also called handy man because heaps of tools, including sharpened stones,
found with their fossils which indicates that Homo habilis was capable of
‘making tools’
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