Homo heidelbergensis

Meaning of the name

"The Man from Heidelberg" as a first find in a gravel pit near Heidelberg.

Discovery site

Europe (Germany, Spain, England, Greece, France), Africa (Ethiopia, Zambia), Asia (China).

Age

700'000 –200'000 years

Height and weight

1.60–1.75 m, 50–70 kg

Brain size

1,100–1,400 cm³ (larger than in Homo erectus, smaller than in modern humans).

Body characteristics

Stocky and muscular, indicating an adaptation to cold climates with hunting of large animals, broad face with strong lower jaw, long, low skullcap, flat forehead, no pronounced chin formation, prominent eyebrow ridges, flat forehead.
The leg and pelvic bones indicate a perfect upright gait.
The skull of Homo heidelbergensis shows a mixture of typical H. erectus and H. neanderthalensis or H. sapiens features.

Teeth

The teeth of Homo heidelbergensis, especially the molars (cheek teeth), were larger than those of Homo sapiens, but smaller than those of Homo erectus. The incisors were also quite large and robust, suggesting that Homo heidelbergensis often used them to bite off or process food.

Habitat

The build is stocky and muscular, which indicates an adaptation to the environment in cold climates with hunting of large animals..

Nutrition

Omnivores (meat, plants, fruit, seeds).

Tools, culture, social behaviour

Advanced stone tools such as hand axes (Acheuléen culture); possible use of wooden spears.
Evidence of controlled use of fire.
There is also evidence of ritual burials.
Presumably social structures and cooperation in organised big game hunting. Possibly early forms of communication or language. Evidence of care within the group.

Significance for evolution

Homo heidelbergensis is considered a possible common ancestor of Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis. Its ability to make complex tools and possibly use fire was an important step in human evolution.
A DNA analysis of the Sima de los Huesos fossils revealed that this population was more closely related to the Denisovans than to the Neanderthals - this could mean that populations of Homo heidelbergensis also travelled to Asia and contributed to the evolution of the Denisovans.