Palaeolithic Age
Chapter – 2
- Hominids began making tools around 2.5 million years ago.
- Australopithecus robustus may have been the first tool-maker, though this is unconfirmed.
- Homo habilis is widely accepted as the first tool-maker, according to Richard Leakey.
- Larger brain size of Homo habilis played a pivotal role in the development of tool-making.
- Evidence of early tool-making has been found at Olduvai, marking the beginning of the Oldowan culture.
- The Oldowan culture is the oldest known Paleolithic culture.
- Louis and Mary Leakey were pioneers in discovering the Oldowan culture in East Africa.
- The tools made by Homo habilis were crude and rudimentary, often made from pebbles by striking one stone with another.
- The process of making tools was not easy and required a conscious attempt to give the stone a sharp edge.
- Chimpanzees use tools but do not make them like humans do.