Who was the first member of the genus Homo?

Options

A. Homo habilis
B. Homo erectus
C. Homo neanderthalensis
D. Homo sapiens

Answer

To solve the question "Who was the first member of the genus Homo?", we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Genus Homo
The genus Homo refers to a group of species that are classified as human. This includes modern humans and our closest ancestors.

**Hint:** Remember that "Homo" means human, and we are looking for the earliest member of this group.

### Step 2: Identify Early Members of Homo
The genus Homo includes several species, but we need to identify which one is the earliest. The most notable early members include Homo habilis, Homo erectus, and Homo neanderthalensis.

**Hint:** Focus on the timeline of human evolution and the characteristics of these species.

### Step 3: Determine the First Member
Homo habilis is widely recognized as the first member of the genus Homo. It is believed to have emerged around 2.4 million years ago and is known for its use of tools.

**Hint:** Think about which species is often referred to as the "handy man" due to its tool-making abilities.

### Step 4: Eliminate Incorrect Options
- Homo erectus is a later species that evolved after Homo habilis.
- Homo neanderthalensis (Neanderthals) also came after Homo habilis.
- Homo sapiens refers to modern humans and is not the first member.

**Hint:** Compare the evolutionary timeline of these species to confirm which one is the earliest.

### Conclusion
The first member of the genus Homo is **Homo habilis**.

**Final Answer:** Homo habilis