Likely ancestor of the genus Homo

The likely ancestor of the genus Homo is believed to be Homo habilis. This species is thought to have evolved around 2.3 million years ago, and is one of the earliest members of the genus Homo. Here are the steps that led to this conclusion:

1. Fossil Evidence: The oldest known fossils of Homo habilis were discovered in the 1960s in Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. These fossils were dated to approximately 2.3 to 1.4 million years ago, making them some of the oldest known members of our genus.

2. Anatomical Evidence: Homo habilis shows a mix of primitive and more advanced anatomical features. They had significantly larger brains than the australopithecines, their likely predecessors, but still retained some more primitive features such as a smaller body size and longer arms.

3. Tool Use: The name Homo habilis means "handy man," given because of the association of this species with stone tools. The use of tools represents a significant step in the evolution of our genus, and Homo habilis is the earliest species for which we have solid evidence of tool use.

4. Evolutionary Relationships: Based on the fossil record and anatomical evidence, scientists believe that Homo habilis likely evolved from an australopithecine ancestor, and that it is a possible ancestor of later species in our genus, including Homo erectus and ultimately Homo sapiens.

So, based on the current evidence and scientific consensus, Homo habilis is considered a likely ancestor of the genus Homo.