Final answer:
Stone tools in the Late Pliocene were likely made by Homo habilis and potentially by Paranthropus boisei. These tools, part of the Oldowan industry, represent a significant advancement in early human technology. Over time they were replaced by more sophisticated Acheulean and Mousterian tools.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stone tools in the Late Pliocene were likely made by Homo habilis and possibly by Paranthropus boisei according to Susman (1991). These early tools are part of the Oldowan tool industry, representing a significant advancement in human engineering. Homo habilis crafted these stone tools by striking rocks to create sharp edges serving various purposes, from butchering to bone smashing.
As the oldest known stone tool industry, the Oldowan period dates back approximately 2.5 to 1.5 million years ago (MYA). These tools were fairly rudimentary and are often challenging to identify in archeological sites due to their crude appearance. However, such tools were instrumental in aiding early hominins in their daily survival and represent the beginning of technological development.
Eventually, the Acheulean tools replaced the Oldowan ones. These more advanced tools, such as hand-axes and later the innovative Mousterian flake tools, demonstrated the evolving sophistication of early human technology. The development of these tools marks significant milestones in the progression from the Late Pliocene to subsequent periods, underlining human capacity for complexity and innovation in tool-making.