Approximately how old is the H. habilis specimen OH24?

The H. habilis specimen known as OH24, which was discovered in Tanzania, dates back to approximately 1.8 million years ago. This classification is supported by the context of the fossil assemblage found in the same strata where OH24 was unearthed, which corresponds to a time frame generally accepted for this species based on other fossil evidence and geological datings. H. habilis is one of the earliest known members of the genus Homo, and its age helps us understand the timeline of human evolution, particularly in relation to tool use and the development of traits that are characteristic of later human species.

The other age estimates provided in the options fall outside the established time range for H. habilis. For instance, 2 million years old would place the specimen too close to the emergence of H. erectus, while 600,000 and 800,000 years old are significantly younger than the accepted age for H. habilis. These discrepancies highlight the importance of accurate dating in paleoanthropological studies to provide a clearer picture of evolutionary history.