The first African remains of the genus Homo, identified more than six decades ago, were attributed to the species Homo habilis. These remains are interpreted as the beginning of our genus due to the derived characteristics of the skull and teeth and the found remains of the hand, which at the time of discovery were considered evidence that this species was the first species to make tools. 

The finds from Africa are of approximately the same age, they are attributed to the species Homo rudolfensis, which some researchers consider to be members of the species Homo habilis. However, since the discovery of the first remains of the species H. habilis and H. rudolfensis until today, it is shown that they are more similar to australopithecines in terms of body size, shape and behaviour than the species after – Homo erectus.