Final answer:
Oldowan tools were the earliest human-made stone tools, created using the hard hammer percussion technique, chipping flakes off a stone to form a core used for various tasks, and their creation marks a significant leap in early human technological abilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oldowan tools, dating back to approximately 2.5 to 1.5 million years ago, were manufactured using the hard hammer percussion technique. This process involved chipping flakes off a stone to create a core, which served as the primary tool for various tasks such as killing game, cutting meat and plants, and possibly woodworking. Mary Leakey established a system to classify these tools based on utility, marking the earliest evidence of human-made stone tools and the onset of flint knapping, which is the craft of shaping stone into tools. These Oldowan tools were primordial yet effective for cutting, scraping, and chopping, significantly impacting survival and technological advancement in early human populations.