Homo ergaster is an early hominid species that lived during the Pleistocene era. Its classification as a separate species from Homo erectus is debated, but it is widely used. Homo ergaster had advanced tools, used fire, and likely lived together socially. The discovery of Turkana Boy in 1984 provided a more complete picture of what these hominids looked like.
Homo ergaster was an early hominin species and an important member of the human family tree. There is, however, some controversy over the classification of Homo ergaster. Some people believe that these early humans were actually a subspecies of Homo erectus, another early hominid, rejecting classification of these human ancestors into a separate species. There is some debate as to which fossil remains should be considered Homo ergaster versus Homo erectus. However, this species designation is widely used enough that it is unlikely to disappear entirely without significant new fossil evidence.
From the Homo ergaster fossils that have been found, scientists estimate that these hominids lived during the Pleistocene era, around the time the Earth was going through a cooling cycle. The differences between Homo ergaster and early ancestors suggest that these hominids evolved some new traits in response to global cooling, including the ability to scavenge for food as their native climate changed.
The name of this hominin species comes from the Greek ergaster, meaning “worker,” a reference to the advanced tools that have been found as fossil sites with remains of Homo ergaster. Homo habilis, the earlier ancestor of Homo ergaster, also used tools, but not as effectively or creatively. It also appears that Homo ergaster developed new uses for fire, which set the stage for some major changes in human evolution.
Modern humans would find some things in common with Homo ergaster. This hominin species was lanky, with a narrow pelvis designed for upright walking and a barrel-shaped chest. However, Homo ergaster also had a prominent brow ridge and protruding jaw that would seem alien to modern humans. Archaeologists believe these hominids likely lived together socially and vocalized, as fossil evidence suggests they had the specialized muscles needed to form words. They probably also had dark skin to protect them from the sun, and it seems that Homo ergaster may have been one of the first hominids to sweat.
One of the most important discoveries of Homo ergaster occurred in 1984 at Lake Turkana, Kenya. Richard Leaky, Kamoya Kimeu and Tim White have discovered the nearly complete skeleton of a boy, estimated to be around 12 years old. Turkana Boy, as it is called, was a groundbreaking discovery because it provided a more complete picture of what these hominids might have looked like.
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