Homo habilis is an early human species living between 2.4 and 1.6 million years ago. In this video we take a look at their brain.
Homo habilis, the first homo species forms a transitional species between australopithecus and homo erectus. When looking at the brain we see a more rounded shape compared to earlier hominids. Also the brain is positioned higher, above eye-level, whereas in australopithecines the brain is found behind the face. Also the brain is significantly larger compared to australopithecus.
However, there is a huge amount of variability. Early homo have brain sizes ranging from 500 cc to almost 800 cc. Therefore, some suggest that homo habilis (sensu lato) comprises of multiple subspecies, like homo habilis sensu stricto, homo rudolfensis, and homo gautengensis. Others have suggested that the brain size variability is normal and expected within a single species. Possible size differences may also be explained by sexual dimorphism.
Homo habilis is known to use and craft stone tools. It is highly likely that the communicative skills of handy man also improved, to share these skills with the next generation. Interestingly, Tobias (1987) observed more pronounced language areas (Broca's area and inferior parietal cortex) in homo habilis. Although not uncontested, these findings are in line with what we see in later homo erectus.
Narrated by: Miles Wischnewski
References:
Balzeau, A., Holloway, R. L., & Grimaud-Hervé, D. (2012). Variations and asymmetries in regional brain surface in the genus Homo. Journal of human evolution, 62(6), 696-706. doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2012...
Benazzi, S., Gruppioni, G., Strait, D. S., & Hublin, J. J. (2014). Technical note: virtual reconstruction of KNM-ER 1813 Homo habilis cranium. American journal of physical anthropology, 153(1), 154-160. doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.22376
Bobe, R., & Carvalho, S. (2019). Hominin diversity and high environmental variability in the Okote Member, Koobi Fora Formation, Kenya. Journal of human evolution, 126, 91-105. doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2018...
Broadfield, D. C., Holloway, R. L., Mowbray, K., Silvers, A., Yuan, M. S., & Márquez, S. (2001). Endocast of Sambungmacan 3 (Sm 3): a new Homo erectus from Indonesia. The Anatomical record, 262(4), 369-379. doi.org/10.1002/ar.1047
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Curnoe, D., & Tobias, P. V. (2006). Description, new reconstruction, comparative anatomy, and classification of the Sterkfontein Stw 53 cranium, with discussions about the taxonomy of other southern African early Homo remains. Journal of human evolution, 50(1), 36-77. doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2005...
Lieberman, D.E., Pilbeam, D.R., Wood, B.A., (1988). A probabilistic approach to the problem of sexual dimorphism in Homo habilis: a comparison of KNM-ER 1470 and KNM-ER 1813. Journal of Human Evolution, 17(5), 503-511. doi.org/10.1016/0047-2484(88)...
Miller J. A. (1991). Does brain size variability provide evidence of multiple species in Homo habilis?. American journal of physical anthropology, 84(4), 385-398. doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330840403
Spoor, F., Gunz, P., Neubauer, S., Stelzer, S., Scott, N., Kwekason, A., & Dean, M. C. (2015). Reconstructed Homo habilis type OH 7 suggests deep-rooted species diversity in early Homo. Nature, 519(7541), 83-86. doi.org/10.1038/nature14224
Tobias, P.V. (1987). The brain of Homo habilis: A new level of organization in cerebral evolution. Journal of Human Evolution, 16(7-8), 503-511. doi.org/10.1016/0047-2484(87)...
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