Emergence of early Homo and first consistent stone tool use
c. 2.8–2.4 million years ago·Science, technology & invention·East Africa·
c. 2.8–2.4 million years agoDate
Science, technology & inventionCategory
0Empires active
- Date
- c. 2.8–2.4 million years ago
- Category
- Science, technology & invention
- Region
- East Africa
- Era
- Prehistory
- Significance
The genus Homo appears. LD 350-1 specimen (~2.75 mya) represents one of the earliest members. Oldowan stone tool industry begins – simple choppers and flakes.
See the world map in c. 2.8–2.4 million years ago →More science, technology & inventionThe Prehistory era
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Further reading
The wider story
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Warm, jargon-free tour of discovery from Babylonian stargazers to the genome.
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