NCEA Level 3 Biology – Human Evolution (AS91606) Practice Exam 2025 - Free Human Evolution Practice Questions and Study Guide

Homo habilis is significant in the evolutionary timeline primarily because it exhibited notable advancements in both tool use and brain size when compared to earlier hominins. This species, which lived approximately 2.1 to 1.5 million years ago, is often regarded as one of the earliest members of the genus Homo.

The development of tools is a particularly critical aspect of H. habilis' significance. The species created and utilized simple stone tools, which represent a crucial step in human evolution, marking an increase in cognitive abilities and a shift towards more complex behaviors necessary for survival and adaptability in various environments. This tool-making capability suggests that H. habilis had a greater level of dexterity and problem-solving skills, which are important traits in the evolutionary lineage leading to modern humans.

Additionally, H. habilis had a larger brain size relative to earlier hominins like Australopithecines. Increased brain size is often associated with enhanced cognitive functions, which may have contributed to more advanced social behaviors, strategic thinking, and learning from the environment.

Together, these traits signify a pivotal moment in human evolution wherein early hominins began to display characteristics that are foundational to what we consider modern human behavior and intelligence.