Homo habilis means literally, the "handy man". This species was a human ancestor who lived in Africa around 1.9 to 1.6 million years ago and was distinguished from their ancestors, as the name suggests, by use of stone tools.
Along with this, they may also have had the first stirrings of human language, culture and awareness. There is not (and could not be) any hard evidence that language began with Homo habilis, but many experts theorise (see homo symbolicus) that language, self-awareness, culture and technology co-evolved and therefore would have had their first stirrings at the same time.
The first fossils of Homo habilis were found at Olduvai Gorge by Louis and Mary Leakey. It is thought that Homo habilis dwelt throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.
Homo habilis is thought to have given way to Homo erectus around 1.8 to 1.6 million years ago, who in turn gave way to us.