HOMO HEIDELBERGENSIS: DISCOVERY, CHARACTERISTICS, SKULL - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The Homo heidelbergensis is a primitive species, researchers emerged about 500,000 years ago and lasted until 200,000 years ago, a period that allowed him to adapt to the conditions of their habitat and survival.

Compared to its predecessors such as Homo ergaster and Homo erectus, it represented a significant advance in evolution and transformation, since scientists consider that it is the beginning of the races Homo s apiens and Homo n eanderthalensis and, in general, of man as know today.

By Tim Evanson, via Wikimedia Commons

It is the first lineage that denotes actions of human mentality, conscience and reason. Likewise, they are recognized for being the first species that made great inventions to survive, such as the discovery of fire, an element that allowed them to alter their daily lives and improve their quality of life.

He also innovated in the construction of shelters that they used as a home and exposed the need to live in company. The study of Homo heidelbergensis yielded great findings on the development of man and promoted a different understanding of his descendants.

Discovery

Although its origin dates back millions of years, researchers discovered its existence in 1908, the year in which a worker in the town of Heidelberg, in Germany, found remains of this species.

Today this find is known to the world as Mauer's jaw. The German scientist Otto Schoentensack was commissioned to investigate and qualify these remains for the first time, which, according to his description, were very well preserved.

The study certified that the maxilla was almost complete, except for some premolars and molars. Schoentensack is also given the name Heidelbergensis, a name that refers to the site of the revelation.

However, this is not the only proof of the existence of this breed. Later, in the Caune de l´Arago cave, located in France, fragments of this species were found. These include an incomplete skull that received the nickname of the Man of Tautavel; this is accompanied by a set of fossils dating back 450 thousand years ago.

Perhaps one of the most famous discoveries about this species is that of the Sima de Los Huesos in the Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain. Pieces belonging to approximately thirty individuals were found there.

Most of the remains are found on the European continent, some of these in Steinheim, Germany; and in Swanscombe, England. However, there are also traces of Homo heidelbergensis in Dali, China; in Bodo d'Arcerca, Ethiopia; in Kabwe, Zambia; in Lake Ndutu, Tanzania; and in other countries.

characteristics

Due to the large amount of remains of this primitive being, experts have been able to carefully study the genetics, physiognomy and even the DNA that characterizes this race.

Some of the most important peculiarities are based on their stout anatomy, generated perhaps by their own evolution and the product of the need to survive in the low temperatures of their environment.

This species was much larger than those examined up to that time, a data that was thrown by bone fragments and that allow us to estimate its bone structure.

These individuals had an average height of 1.75 meters in men and 1.57 meters in women, weighing between 55 and 100 kilograms depending on their gender.

They had a broad pelvis and back, which gave way to thick and robust limbs with abundant pubic hair that, somehow, protected them from the cold. Also, their sexual organs resembled those of modern humans.

Cranial capacity

Studies affirm that the brain of the Homo heidelbergensis measured between 1100 and 1350 cubic centimeters, quite large and considered similar to that of the human today.

His form was flattened or flattened and his features were coarse; this last fact is denoted by prominent jaws and wide nose.

Other analyzes add that they did not have a chin and had fewer teeth than their predecessors. At first glance, these individuals did not have a prominent profile and the face gave the impression of being slightly submerged in the head.

Communication

In addition to this and beyond the physical singularities, there is evidence that this species could communicate with each other, which is a breakthrough.

There are even theories that specify the ability to listen and produce sounds with the lips, which indicates the existence of a spoken language.

The mental capacity of Homo heidelbergensis does not only go so far. Various tests indicate that they had the ability to make music by hitting the ceilings of caves, actions that denote a brain capacity different from their ancestors.

There are also scientists who claim that they shared religious ideas and had hypotheses about life after death that grouped them together, what today is called beliefs and that they are pillars in a culture.

Tools

The knowledge and mastery that these subjects had over wood and stones was fantastic and this is demonstrated by the utilities that were given to these elements.

The natural resources that surrounded them, added to the skill of their abilities, made them develop tools that had not been seen before. To this is added that many times the stones and other materials were subjected to heat, to mold them in an easier way without modifying their hardness and resistance.

For example, Homo heidelbergensis was the first species for which there was evidence of a weapon capable enough to hunt animals of different sizes.

Studies and fossil remains certify the existence of two fundamental tools in the life and daily life of these ancestors of the human being: the ax and the javelin.

The ax

This instrument allowed him to hunt his prey up close and cut other materials. They were made of wood and stone; its design shows a great ability to mold and the patience to create these much more complex artifacts.

Specialists say that it is a heavy and difficult to maneuver device, a characteristic that it was able to overcome thanks to its robust texture.

The javelin

This tool was used more to capture animals from a greater distance, testing their skills of strength and aim.

It is worth highlighting the use of a stronger wood in this device, in order to give the tip more firmness.

Feeding

As already mentioned, this species was the pioneer in hunting bigger and stronger animals, which diversified its diet.

At the time and the habitat of Homo heidelbergensis, it was surrounded by mammals such as deer, bears, wild boars, elephants, horses, hyenas, panthers, among others.

An important point in this aspect is the use of fire. There are numerous reasons to think that this species discovered this combustible matter by generating friction with a wooden staff, an opinion supported by the remains of fire that have been found in several locations.

This innovation contributed to the improvement of their diet, since from that finding, the food was subjected to fire. This was undoubtedly beneficial in terms of taste and sanitation.

Researchers say that the heat considerably reduced the risks of contracting diseases and the proliferation of bacteria, and that the consumption of cooked meat contributed to a faster evolution of the brain.

Habitat

According to the fossils and discoveries found, everything indicates that this species inhabited Europe, Asia (specifically China) and eastern and southern Africa.

It should be noted that, at the time and its period of existence, it was subjected to low temperatures, temperate atmospheres, diverse ecosystems and climatic changes, which forced it to look for ways to stay warm.

Shelters

A curious fact about this ancestor of man is that it can be said that he had the idea of ​​building shelters as a method of housing.

In Terra Amata, France, remains of what appear to be dens made of wood and stone were found. Studies indicate that these structures were oval in shape and measured approximately 25 feet long and 20 feet wide.

Homo heidelbergensis lived in small groups and was surrounded by a wooded environment that was repeatedly covered with snow.

At first it was full of oak trees and with the humidity it became a more swampy environment. For this reason, the invention of fire changed his daily life and brought him great benefits, such as:

-Diversification of your diet.

-Heating and lighting.

-Extension of the working day.

-The application of heat to mold elements and build sophisticated tools.

For sure, the reason why this species became completely extinct is unknown. However, there is sufficient evidence to support the belief that these individuals gave way to the lineage called Homo neanderthalensis in Europe, and Homo sapiens in Africa, races that are considered the origin of man.

What can be conclusively stated is that the study of this species helped to better understand its contribution to future generations and the history of planet Earth.

References

1. "Homo Heidelbergensis" (2018) in Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Retrieved August 30 from Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History: humanorigins.si.edu
2. Schoetensack, O. "Der Unterkiefer des Homo Heidelbergensis aus den Sanden von Mauer bei Heidelberg" (1908) in the Gottinger Digitization Center. Retrieved on August 30 from the Gottinger Digitization Center: gdz.sub.uni-goettingen.de
3. "500,000 years, Homo Heidelbergensis" (2008) in Quo. Retrieved on August 30 in Quo: quo.es
4. "Homo heidelbergensis" in Behavioral Sciences Department, Palomar College. Retrieved on August 30 from Behavioral Sciences Department, Palomar College: palomar.edu
5. "Homo Heidelbergensis" (2015) in Australian Museum. Retrieved on August 30 from Australian Museum: australianmuseum.net.au
6. "The timeline of human evolution" (2018) in ZME Science. Retrieved on August 30 from ZME Science: zmescience.com
7. Guerrero, T. "40 years of Atapuerca… and 99% of the fossils are still buried" (December 18, 2017) in El Mundo. Retrieved August 30 from El Mundo: elmundo.es
8. “They reconstruct for the first time the foot of a 'Homo heidelbergensis” (2013) in the Ibero-American Agency for the Diffusion of Science and Technology. Retrieved August 30 from the Ibero-American Agency for the Diffusion of Science and Technology: dicyt.com