Early+Man

Early Man Louis Leakey was born in Kenya and educated in England. He raised eyebrows among British academics in the late 1920s by insisting that humans evolved in Africa -- contradicting the conventional wisdom that they emerged from Asia or Europe. To prove it, he went to the [|Olduvai Gorge]in southern Tanzania. There, in 1959, Louis and his wife Mary found human bones dating back almost 2 million years. A year later, they discovered //[|Homo habilis]//, or "handy man." It was by far the earliest known human ancestor, and Louis Leakey believed it to be the first true toolmaker.

Below is a list of the 4 major anthropological designations of early man. There is much discussion and disagreement about each step of the Homonid evolutionary ladder, particularly in regards to Homo sapiens. Most scientists agree that the thinking ability needed to produce the "advanced" tool of the Homo sapiens aligns them with the start of "human".existence. Australopithecus afarensis Considered the earliest of the homonids from around 3.9-3.0 million years ago. Best example of an a. afarensis is "Lucy" found in Ethiopia in 1974 by Dr. Johnson.

Homo Habilis Known as "handy man" from around 2.0 million years ago, first found in Olduvia Gorge, Tanzania in 1959 by Dr. Leakey. Believed to be the first toolmaker.

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Homo Erectus Known as "upright man" from around 1.8 million years ago First hominids forund outside of Africa. Toolmakers and users of fire, systematic hunters, used to heavy physical exertion.

Homo sapiens Known as "thinking man" from about 130,000 years ago. Toolmakers and fire controllers, cave then home dwellers, spread from Africa across world. First to bury dead, first to worship higher beings.