An amazing report by Alyssa, Colin, Kate, and Kevin

Have you ever thought about what happened before us? I am sure that you have heard of dinosaurs, but this report is about a group that lived 1.5 to 2.4 million years ago. (1) This group is called the Homo Habilis (Hab-ill-is). I hope you are good at memorizing things because at the end of this, you will be tested on what you just heard. Enjoy! (1) Introduction

Dates and Place of Existence Homo Habilis lived from 1.6 million years ago to 2.4 million years ago. The remains of Homo Habilis were found by Louis and Mary Leakey in the Olduvai Gorge, Africa. Some scientists believe they might have lived in Southern Africa or Southern Asia. (2) They came into existence shortly after Australopithecus, another early human group. A huge climate change about three million years ago made temperatures higher in places like Olduvia Gorge and Hadar. So, the Homo Habilis were highly impacted by the temperature change. (2) California Vistas Ancient Civilizations, Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, New York, NY, 2007, p. 73.

Religion Homo Habilis had no religion. They didn’t have religion because they had more important things to worry about, such as getting food (hunting and finding berries), or just trying to survive to the next day. (3) (3) Kearns, Marsha, “Homo Habilis,” Early Humans, Creative Teaching Press, CA, 1993, p. 127.

Description of Shelter Homo Habilis constructed huts made out of branches and small stones to keep it together. These huts had a dome-like shape. Homo Habilis put grass and weeds over the top for sunlight protection. The huts were also used as an animal and harsh wind block. They also used mud to keep the rocks together to make a dome-shape figure. (4) (4) Kearns, Marsha, “Homo Habilis,” Early Humans, Creative Teaching Press, CA, 1993, p. 127.

Tools The Homo Habilis made stone tools that were used to chip rocks into smaller pieces. Such rocks were called Hammer Stones. They were large and sharp. The Homo Habilis also made sharp, small axes out of stone and used these to cut animals for food. They were the first to invent simple tools. That is why Homo Habilis is Latin for “Handy Man”. (5) (5) California Vistas Ancient Civilizations, Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, New York, NY, 2007, p. 73.

Description of Daily Life At about five in the morning, female Homo Habilis will go down to the river with hollowed gourds and fill them with water. Along the way, they would collect fruits and pods. Back at camp, some of the women are taking care of the children. (6) The kids walk around and try to find something to eat. While this is happening, the men are out to hunt for food. The men hunt in packs (or groups) because it is easier. Once something is caught, they bring it home to share with the families. (7) (6) Facchini, Fiorenzo, “A Day with Homo Habilis, Twenty-First Century Books, Connecticut, 2003, p. 24. (7) Ibid, p. 26

Clothing The Homo Habilis did not wear clothes. The female or male did not know the difference with or without. It wasn’t something important to them. I mean, if you were already really busy trying to stay alive, why would you take the time each morning to put on clothing? (8) (8) Facchini, Fiorenzo, “A Day with Homo Habilis, 2003, p. 24.

Development of Language Scientists believe that the Homo Habilis had developed a simple language. They used gestures and grunts. (9) If a Homo Habilis wanted something, they would point and grunt at it. Some scientists say that Homo Habilis had sounds to identify objects. (9) Kearns, Marsha, “Homo Habilis,” Early Humans, Creative Teaching Press, CA, 1993, p. 127.

Food The Homo Habilis lived in a time when meat became a more important part of their diet. Their teeth were smaller for cutting through tough meat. (10) Homo Habilis were also very dependent on anything from the earth. They ate many different plants and berries, too. (10) California Vistas Ancient Civilizations, Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, New York, NY, 2007, p. 73.

Fire and Art Homo Habilis, sadly, did not leave behind any any artworks, carvings, or cave paintings of which we know. They simply didn’t have the time to make any art. Homo Habilis were all too busy hunting and looking for food to care. They also did not yet have control of fire. Because of this, Homo Habilis mostly ate their meat raw. (11) (11) California Vistas Ancient Civilizations, Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, New York, NY, 2007, p. 75.

Physical Appearance Homo Habilis were only 4.5 feet tall. (12) An average male Homo Habilis was about five feet tall and weighed about 100 pounds. (13) A female was a bit smaller than a male. A Homo Habilis was almost like an ape, but partly stood on two feet. We don’t know if they stood on two feet or four most of the time. They had hair on their body, which was a brownish color. (12) (13) Ibid

Conclusion As you can see, Homo Habilis was an amazing group of the earliest humans. They were the first to modify natural materials to create simple tools. That is why they were named “handy man.”

Are you Smarter Than a Sixth Grader? Now that you have memorized our whole report (I hope… ) We will test you on what you have learned. 1.What Gorge did the Homo Habilis live by? 2.True or false? The Homo Habilis had religion. 3.What was the average height and weight of a male Homo Habilis? Answers: 1.Olduvai Gorge 2.False 3.Five feet, 100 pounds

Bibliography California Visits Ancient Civilizations. Macmillan/MacGraw Hill: New York, NY, Facchini, Fiorenzo. A Day with Homo Habilis. Books: Connecticut, Twenty-First Century, “Homo habilis.” Homo habilis. Kearns, Marsha.“Homo Habilis.” Early Humans. Creative Teaching Press: CA,

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