Homo heidelbergensis
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Homo heidelbergensis is an extinct species of hominid, living between 800,000 and 600,000 years ago. It inhabited regions within Africa and Europe.
Homo heidelbergensis has been referred to as both late Homo erectus and archaic Homo sapiens. It is speculated that Homo antessor which there is only one fossil of, may be the same species as Homo heidelbergensis. This would make Homo heidelbergensis the last common ancestor of modern man and Neanderthals1. Due to climate induced barriers and some physical characteristics, the heidelbergensis speciated, with those in Europe giving rise to Homo neanderthalensis and, in Africa, to Homo sapiens
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Description
He resembled a modern human but was more robust and slightly taller, averaging about 6 feet in height for adult males. The teeth were clearly human in number and shape and wasn't as jutting as in Homo erectus, but the jaw was much thicker than modern humans and lacking in a chin. The brow ridge was very thick, but the braincase was closer in size to that of modern humans.
Homo heidelbergensis may have practiced some modern behaviors such as intentional burial.
Representative Fossils
- Mauer (near Heidelberg, for which this species is named) mandible
- Kabwe skull
- Bodo
- Ndutu
- Arago 21
- Petralona 1
References
Further Reading
- Stringer, Chris and Andrews, Peter, "The Complete World of Human Evolution" Thames and Hudson, London. 2005. pp148-151
