Final answer:
The earliest stone tools dating back to 2.6 million years ago are known as Oldowan tools; likely created by Homo habilis, they served as essential implements for early hominins.
Step-by-step explanation:
The earliest stone tools discovered thus far, dating to 2.6 million years ago (m.y.a.), are likely attributed to Homo habilis and are known as Oldowan tools. These tools represent the oldest known stone tool industry, serving various purposes such as cutting, scraping, chopping, and butchering. Oldowan tools were succeeded by the Acheulean hand-axes and later by the more refined Mousterian tools, which included smaller hand-axes and tools made from stone flakes used in nuanced tasks, such as preparing meat, scraping leather, and crafting works of art.