Final answer:
Stone tools, such as the Oldowan and Acheulean tools, were likely first made by Homo habilis and were highly efficient for various tasks. Stone tools represent a leap in human engineering ability and are associated with the cognitive planning involved in tool making. The development of stone tools is believed to be connected to the evolution of complex speech and language.
Step-by-step explanation:
The earliest known human-made stone tools, known as Oldowan tools, were likely first created by Homo habilis about 2.6 million years ago. Homo habilis used a simple technique of smashing smooth rocks together to create crudely sharpened edges. These tools were highly efficient for various tasks such as killing animals, butchering meat, and smashing bones.
Another type of stone tool, called Acheulean tools, emerged around 1.7 million years ago and remained dominant until about 250,000 years ago. They were more sophisticated than the Oldowan tools and were teardrop-shaped hand-axes. Acheulean tools were found in different parts of the world, including Africa, the Middle East, and India.
The development of stone tools signifies a significant leap in human engineering ability and is often associated with the cognitive planning involved in tool making. It is believed that the same cognitive processes required for tool making also enabled hominins to develop complex speech and language.