Australopithecus habilis was discovered by Peter Nzube in 1968. This nearly complete, but very badly crushed specimen, constituted the oldest hominid found in Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania and supported the designation of the then controversial species of Homo habilis. Originally some scientists had resisted classification of Homo habilis as a new species, preferring instead to separate specimens into either A. africanus or H. erectus.

Though this specimen features characteristics of both species, there are marked differences. Its estimated cranial capacity of 600 cc is the minimum for classification as Homo, but the difficulties of reconstruction may have contributed to the smallish estimation. The species possessed a larger brain than A. africanus or A. boisei, though smaller than Homo erectus from Java and China. The cranial bones are thinner than typical for australopethicenes, and the braincase is wider and shorter. The width of the face approaches A. boisei in breadth, but is not similarly flat. The profile of H. habilis slopes forward, but projects less than A. africanus. Today some scientists believe that there is too great a range of characteristics for habilis to be a single species and have proposed another subspecies within H. habilis.

Size: 7 1/4"L, 4 3/4"W, 4 3/4"H
Origin: Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania
Age: 2.5 million years old
Grade: Museum Quality