Final answer:
Oldowan tools are the oldest known human-made stone tools, dating back around 2.6 million years and were used by early Homo species like Homo habilis for a variety of tasks. These tools showcase the earliest form of tool-making and reveal the developmental abilities of early humans. The progression from Oldowan to more complex Acheulean tools highlights the evolution of early human technology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oldowan Tools and their Use by Early Homo Species
Oldowan tools represent the earliest known form of human-made stone tools. They date back to approximately 2.6 million years ago, likely developed by Homo habilis. The creation of these tools by smashing rocks to produce sharp edges marked a significant leap in human engineering. The tools served many functions including cutting, scraping, chopping, killing animals, butchering meat, and breaking bones to access marrow.
These Oldowan tools were simplistic compared to later tool industries, but their appearance in the fossil record changes our understanding of the cognitive and motor skills of early hominins. Mary Leakey's classification system based on utility was a foundational effort in archeological categorization. The tools were made through a technique called hard hammer percussion, which essentially starts with flakes chipped away from a stone core. Despite their primitive look, they were vital to the survival and development of early human species like Homo habilis and later Homo ergaster. These groups also began constructing more complex Acheulean tools after about 1.7 million years ago, signaling the advancing technological capabilities of early humans.