Europe (Homo Erectus Heidelbergensis)

Introduction

Homo erectus heidelbergensis is an extinct member of the genus Homo. It is believed to be the common ancestor with Homo neanderthalensis from Europe and Homo sapiens in Africa. The fossils date from 600,000 to 400,000 years ago. The utilised tools were remarkably comparable to the Acheulean implements that Homo erectus would have used.

Overview of Homo erectus heidelbergensis

The Homo erectus heidelbergensis primitive species had an unusually large brow ridge, a larger braincase, and a more flattened face than other early human species. An adaptation to conserve heat may have been the reason for the species’ short, broad body shape. At its introduction, they had complete control of fires and wooden spears. The first ancient human species hunted large animals consistently. Additionally, this primitive human pioneered new territory; this was the first species to construct shelters, making simple houses of wood and rock.

History of Discovery

The original specimen of heidelbergensis was discovered in the Rösch sandpit near Mauer, Germany, in 1908. It had a few missing teeth in the mandible, including the premolars and the first two left molars. It is powerfully built and does not have a chin. The specimen was described for the first time by German scientist Otto Schoentensack, who proposed the name Homo heidelbergensis for the species.

Researchers used the term “archaic” Homo sapiens for early human fossils, starting with H. erectus and Homo sapiens.

Significance of Name

A species of human known as Homo erectus heidelbergensis is referred to as ‘Heidelberg Man’. The name Homo erectus heidelbergensis is derived from the Latin word Homo, meaning ‘human’ or ‘man’.

Distribution

This species’ fossils have been discovered throughout Africa and Europe. However, a fossilised skullcap found in northern India’s Narmada Valley may be Homo heidelbergensis’ easternmost occurrence. Lake Turkana, Ndutu, Petralona, Elandsfontein, Mauer, Kabwe, Steinheim, Arago, Bodo, Boxgrove, Swanscombe, and Narmada are all major locations where discoveries occurred.

The Origins of the Genus Homo:

• Around 2.5 million years ago, the earliest known species of Homo arose in East Africa. Homo habilis (“handy human”) was given its name because the fossilised parts were discovered with stone tools. A million years ago, Homo habilis extinct
• East Africa’s fossil record suggests that Homo erectus, or Homo habilis or australopithecines, first appeared 1.9 million years ago. Stone tools were more advanced in Homo erectus than in Homo habilis, smaller brains. The experts who dated the bone agreed that Homo habilis and Homo erectus would have continued to remain isolated to exist until 14 000 years ago
• Homo erectus was the first species to drive Africa (1.8 million years ago) and establish fire control (1.5 million years ago). Around 800,000 years ago, Homo erectus spread over Eurasia before developing into Homo erectus heidelbergensis
• Transitional Homo fossils discovered during the last 800,000 years are often categorised as Homo heidelbergensis.
• Homo erectus heidelbergensis also developed more complex stone tools and colonised a larger area of the Old World. Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens are assumed to have evolved from this species in Europe 500 000 years ago and 200 000 years ago, respectively

Significant Physical Features

• Body type – Fossil evidence for Homo ergaster’s body shape, such as height and leg length, is limited. However, evidence from leg bones suggests the species was tall, with a maximum height of 180 centimetres
• Brain – Their brains were huge, averaging about 1250 cubic centimetres in size and accounting for 1.9 percent of their total body weight. The brain’s parietal and frontal lobes were expanded, which may signify a rise in brain complexity
• Skull – Behind the eye sockets, a little post-orbital constriction. The brow ridge was moderately arched, and the forehead was short and sloping. The sloping forehead looked more like the foreheads of earlier species than the straight foreheads of Homo sapiens
• Teeth and jaws –The jaws of older species were shorter, resulting in a forehead with only a slight protrusion. The lower jaw was built very strongly to attach strong chewing muscles. Teeth were positioned in the jaw in a parabolic pattern
• Limbs – The lower legs were quite lengthy. These limb proportions adapt to tropical environments, giving a more extensive skin area that assists in cooling the body

Environmental Factors And Dietary Habits

Around 600,000 to 200,000 years ago, Africa and Europe’s climates endured a succession of cool and warm phases. The migration of these West Africans to Europe exposed them to usually colder climes.

Homo erectus heidelbergensis hunted huge animals for food, but the hides may have been valuable as well, particularly in colder climates. The fossilised bones of these creatures indicate they hunted rhinos, hippopotamuses, bears, horses, and deer. These animals were hunted expertly and then killed in an organised manner, implying that these individuals worked in cooperative groups.

Conclusion

Erectus heidelbergensis kept many primitive characteristics, such as a broad face and distinct brow ridge. They acquired more derived characteristics, such as a larger brain and anatomically modern prefrontal bone and cranial bases. As a result, certain palaeontologists advised against drawing premature conclusions regarding the presence of a modern Homo habilis and Homo erectus population based on a single bone piece. Instead, they proposed a different explanation: the bone represented variance in contemporary human skeletal anatomy. Experts are now undertaking follow-up studies to determine whether early humans and modern humans coexisted in East Asia as latest as 14 thousand years ago.