Homo habilis: time period this species existed, geographic locations of fossils

Homo habilis is believed to have lived from approximately 2.1 to 1.5 million years ago during the Gelasian and early Calabrian stages of the Pleistocene geological epoch.

The first fossils of Homo habilis were discovered in 1960 by Louis and Mary Leakey at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania. Since then, fossils have been found in various other locations, primarily in East Africa. These include other sites in Tanzania, as well as in Kenya and Ethiopia.

In addition to East Africa, a few potential Homo habilis fossils have been discovered outside of this region. These include specimens from South Africa and possibly even further afield in southern Namibia and Botswana. However, these findings are less certain and sometimes disputed.

In summary, the primary geographic locations of Homo habilis fossils are in East Africa, with a few potential findings in southern Africa.