Homo heidelbergensis

Homo heidelbergensis is a now-extinct species of the genus Homo that dates from the Middle Pleistocene period (780,000 to 130,000 years ago). Specifically, the chronological place that Homo heidelbergensis occupies is between 700,000 to 200,000 years ago. Homo heidelbergensis, based on discoveries and analysis, lived in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The importance of Homo heidelbergensis is that it is quite likely the common point from which at least three species evolved. One of these, Homo sapiens (modern man), survived. The other two branches, Denisova hominin and Homo Neanderthalensis, did not. One other interesting and important aspect in studying Homo heidelbergensis and its place in evolution is the study of the science and analysis used to develop categories and labels of species under study by anthropologists.

Brief History

Homo heidelbergensis was unknown to anthropologists until 1907. In that year, a mandible (jaw bone) was found by workmen in the town of Mauer, Germany, near the city of Heidelberg. The fossilized jawbone (referred to as the Mauer Mandible) was in excellent condition, missing only a few teeth. What made this mandible exceptional was not only its excellent condition but the large size of the jaw and the relative smallness of the teeth.

The following year, the industrialist-turned-scholar/scientist Otto Schoentensack wrote an article describing the jaw and proposed the finding as evidence of a new species in the evolutionary development of modern man. He christened this species Homo heidelbergensis, naming it after the city near where the jawbone was found.

At the time of its discovery and description, it was considered the earliest example of human remains, although that has since been disproved based on advances in dating. It is now known to be approximately 610,000 years old, not the oldest extant sample of previous human species.

Although Schoentensack identified Homo heidelbergensis, it was not totally accepted as a genuine species until the latter part of the twentieth century. By then, significant discoveries, including the remains of almost thirty human skeletons in Spain, provided what seemed to be irrefutable evidence of the existence of Homo heidelbergensis. In 2023, scientists at Germany's well-known Pleistocene archeological site, Schöningen, identified fossilized footprints dated to 300,000 years ago. These footprints were among elephant prints and the prints of other species of herbivores.

Since the 1990s, testing for age, the sequencing of DNA, and other investigations have provided additional data. Anthropologists continue debating the details concerning Homo heidelbergensis, including its relationship to potential ancestors or descendants or whether it is truly a unique species. For example, in 2021, some Canadian anthropologists recommended dissolving the name Homo heidelbergensis in favor of Homo bodoensis for all fossils and remains found in Africa. Conversely, researchers in Gran Dolina, Spain argued that some findings in Europe were unique enough from Homo heidelbergensis to be given the new title, Homo antecessor.

Overview

In the evolution of a particular genus or species, there is not necessarily a strictly linear pattern. Additionally, not everything is known (or probably can be known) about each phase or about the relationships between examples of each phase. A species can exist and from that one species several may evolve. Some or none of the evolved species may survive, and the species from which they evolved may or may not survive. The case of the species Homo heidelbergensis presents an excellent example of the uncertainties that can surround the study of human evolution.

The existence of large samples of the remains and the work done on them, including DNA extraction, have answered many questions surrounding Homo heidelbergensis. Still, many aspects of this species remain entirely unknown or are controversial. Some of the uncertainty centers on what is not yet confirmed or is totally unknown about Homo heidelbergensis and its place in the evolutionary development of man. Part of the issue, however, is that the entire Middle Pleistocene era, which has been described by Laura Buck as the "muddle in the middle," is filled with uncertainties. The "muddle" is the result of missing pieces that anthropologists may not even realize are missing or the lack of samples large enough to enable scientists to make confident assertions. There are several conclusions about Homo heidelbergensis that have been reached, some based on enough hard data to allow confident assertion, some that may be contradicted by possible evidence existing elsewhere.

Homo heidelbergensis lived in several places. It lived in eastern and southern Africa and several places in Europe: Germany, France, Italy, England, and Spain. It may have also lived in Asia, primarily China. Homo heidelbergensis was slightly taller than Homo neanderthalensis. Height for females averaged 5 feet 2 inches (157 centimeters), and for males, 5 feet 9 inches (175 centimeters). There have been, however, some fossil remains discovered in southern Africa and identified as Homo heidelbergensis that were seven feet tall. Females averaged around 112 pounds (51 kilograms) and males were slightly heavier, averaging 136 pounds (62 kilograms).

It has been surmised by some, based on the bones found in Spain, that Homo heidelbergensis may have been capable of speech. The discovery of inner ear bones indicates that whether or not that species was capable of speaking, they would have been able to hear speech.

The fact that Homo heidelbergensis was short, thereby exposing less surface area to the cold, has been cited as one of the reasons that it successfully adapted to conditions in Europe. Another condition that made adaptability in the north successful was their ability to make and maintain fires for cooking and warmth. Archaeological evidence has indicated not only the remains of fires but also that Homo heidelbergensis successfully created tools, such as axes (found in Spain and England), and weapons, such as wooden spears. The remains of several animals, such as deer, elephants, rhinoceroses, and hippopotamuses, suggest these spears were used for hunting. It has also been surmised that some individuals in the Homo heidelbergensis communities may have been the victims of ritual sacrifice. That would argue for the existence of some kind of religious belief in addition to their possessing and using practical technology.

There are, however, several unknowns. The origins of Homo heidelbergensis are not totally clear and remain subject to debate. A key question remains as to exactly where Homo heidelbergensis fits with other homo species, even whether it should be considered a completely discrete species at all. For example, in some circles, Homo rhodensiensis is considered to be identical with Homo heidelbergensis. Others believe that Homo rhodensiensis is an altogether different species.

Homo heidelbergensis may have been a distinct species, but there is some speculation that there may have been characteristics of Homo heidelbergensis mixed in with another species, meaning a degree of commonality among different species. The traceability of successor species, or descendants of Homo heidelbergensis cannot be taken for granted, as the amount of data available has large gaps. According to some anthropologists, a now-extinct species, the Denisovans (named after the Denisova Cave in Siberia where their remains were found) that lived approximately 50,000 years ago, may be descendants of Homo heidelbergensis. The evidence, while compelling (based on DNA sequenced from bone samples in 2010), may not be conclusive. The Denisovan species samples consist, as of 2015, of only one finger bone and two teeth.

Homo heidelbergensis is a topic that can be studied from several perspectives. On the most immediate level, it is a significant part of the study of the evolution of Homo, resulting in modern man. It is also a vehicle for understanding how the scientific process works in gathering evidence, performing tests and analysis, and eventually developing working hypotheses which often must be revised or discarded altogether as new evidence appears.

Bibliography

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Prostak, Sergio. "300,000-Year-Old Footprints of Homo heidelbergensis Found in Germany." Sci.News, 26 July 2023, www.sci.news/archaeology/homo-heidelbergensis-footprints-12131.html. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

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Trájer, Attila J. “The Habitat Utilization and Environmental Resilience of Homo Heidelbergensis in Europe.” Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, vol. 16, no. 5, 2024, doi.org/10.1007/s12520-024-01986-7. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.