Question

The first human like being is

• A. Homo menthus
• B. Homo erectus
• C. Homo habilis
• D. Homo sapiens

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The question asks for the *first* human-like being. To answer this, we need to consider what characteristics define "human-like" and how different hominin species evolved.

Understanding Hominin Evolution:

Hominins are members of the tribe Hominini, which includes modern humans and all of our extinct ancestors after the split from the chimpanzee lineage. Key features that evolved over time and make a species more "human-like" include:

• Bipedalism: Walking upright on two legs.
• Increased Brain Size (Encephalization): Larger brain capacity relative to body size.
• Tool Use: Creating and using tools.
• Dietary Changes: Shift towards more varied diets, including meat.
• Social Complexity: More complex social structures and behaviors.

Analyzing the Options:

• Homo menthus: This is not a recognized or valid species name in the scientific study of human evolution. Therefore, it is incorrect.
• Homo erectus: Homo erectus is an important hominin species that lived from about 1.89 million to 110,000 years ago. They are known for having a larger brain size than earlier hominins, using fire, and migrating out of Africa. While more human-like than earlier species, they weren't the *first* to display key human-like traits.
• Homo habilis: Homo habilis lived from approximately 2.3 to 1.4 million years ago. The name "habilis" means "handy man," because fossil evidence suggests they were among the earliest hominins to use stone tools. They had a slightly larger brain size than their predecessors (like Australopithecus), though still smaller than Homo erectus. Their tool use and slightly increased brain size are significant steps towards human-like characteristics.
• Homo sapiens: Homo sapiens are modern humans. While obviously the most human-like, they are not the *first* species to display human-like traits.

Why Homo habilis is the best answer:

While earlier hominins like *Australopithecus* were bipedal, *Homo habilis* is generally considered the first to combine bipedalism with evidence of tool use and a somewhat larger brain. This combination of characteristics places them as the earliest recognized species within the *Homo* genus, and arguably the *first* exhibiting a suite of characteristics we associate with "human-like" behavior, even if those traits were still relatively primitive compared to later species like *Homo erectus* or *Homo sapiens*.

Therefore, the best answer is: Homo habilis

Answer 2

The first human-like being is believed to be Homo habilis.
Homo habilis, meaning "handy man," is an extinct species of the genus Homo that lived approximately 2.4 to 1.4 million years ago. They are considered one of the earliest members of the human genus and are known for their tool-making abilities, which set them apart from earlier hominin species. Homo habilis is considered a transitional species between our more ape-like ancestors and later human species, such as Homo erectus and Homo sapiens.