Homo ergaster was an early human species that lived in Africa between 1-1.4 million years ago. They were the first hominins able to use sophisticated stone tools and articulate speech, and establish complex social relationships. The first fossils of Homo ergaster were found in Kenya in 1975, including two skulls from 1 million years ago and a full skeleton in 1984, making them progenitors of both Homo habilis and Homo erectus.

1. HOMO ERGASTER
Alex Sabater, Jorge Godínez & Bruno Moral

2. When and where did he live?
Africa
+ 1 million years ago
Started to diverge around 1.9
– 1.8 million years ago.
Extinct around 1.4 million
years ago.

3. Progenitors & Offspring
Homo habilis
Homo erectus

4. Characteristics
1. Use of more sophisticated stone tools.
2. First hominid able to articulated speech.
3. First hominid to establish complex social
relationships.

5. Skull characteristics
Less robust than Asian
Homo erectus
Less volume than Homo
Sapiens

6. First fossils found
First fossil in Kenya in
1975
Two skulls from 1
million years ago
First full skeleton in
1984 in Kenya too