Homo heidelbergensis lived between 125,000 to 880,000 years ago in Europe, Africa and Asia. Fossils have been found of over 32 individuals, mostly from a cave in Spain. H. heidelbergensis had a cranial capacity averaging 1200cc and made advanced stone tools. They were skilled hunters, likely communicating in groups to hunt large animals. Evidence suggests they were caring for sick or injured group members. H. heidelbergensis is considered an ancestor to both Neanderthals and modern humans.

1. Homo
heidelbergensis
Specimen Nicknames:
Heidelberg Man
Boxgrove Man
Rhodesian Man
Elvis

2. Total Fossil remains of
over 32 individuals
Mostly from the cave
Sima de los Huesos in
the Atapuerca
Mountains of Spain.
Found in: Estimated geologic age:
Europe 125,000 -880,000 years ago
Africa
Asia

3. Geologic
Specimen Sex/Age Discovery Date Discovery Location
Age
Arago 2 Caune de l’Arago,
F 450 Ka 1964-1974
(lower jaw) Tautavel, France
10/15/1978 and
10/23/1978
Bodo Bodo d’Ar,
n/a 600 Ka by: Alemayhew Asfaw,
(cranium) Ethiopia
Paul Whitehead, and
Major Finds
Craig Wood
Mauer 1 n/a 500-400 10/21/1907 Quarry near
(lower jaw) Adult Ka by: D. Hartmann Mauer, Germany
Sigrist gravel pit,
Steinheim F 07/24/1933 Steinheim,
250 Ka
(skull: 1100 cc) Adult by: Karl Sigrist, Jr. Wurttemberg,
Germany
Sima de los
Atapuerca 5 M 500-350 July 1992, July 1993
Huesos, Sierra de
(skull: 1125 cc) Adult Ka by: Juan-Luis Arsuaga
Atapuerca, Spain
Broken Hill 1 n/a 06/17/1921 Limestone Cave,
300 Ka
(skull: 1300 cc) Adult by: Tom Zwigelaar Kabwe, Zambia

4. Sexual Dimorphism: comparable to those of modern
skeletons with the exception of greater tooth size differences.
Pelvis: similar to Neanderthals, similar gait.
157 cm (5 ft. 2 in) 175.3 cm (5 ft. 7 in)

5. 2-1-2-3 with thick enamel.
Wider cheek teeth and broader
lower front teeth (front to back)
than Neanderthals.
Wisdom teeth = earlier
Canine development = later
than modern humans.
Tooth wear suggests that diet was
at least 80% plant material and
teeth were used as a “third hand”.

6. Cranial Capacity
1100 cc – 1400 cc
Average: 1200 cc
Pronounced brow ridge
Wide eye sockets
Wide nose bridge
No chin

7. Measurements of ear
canals and base of
skull indicate modern
hearing ability.
Increased amount of
cranial flexing
suggests dimensional
change in larynx and
vocal tract and
increased capability
for speech.
Skull endocasts show a more
developed language center in the
brain than H. erectus.

8. Levallois technique
(Prepared Core)
1st step: Fagonnage
Shape the core by
removing flakes.
2nd step: Debitage
Remove multiple
sharpened flakes from the
prepared core.
Tools for butchering, animal
skin preparation, and
woodworking found.

9. Nine spruce spears found in Schöningen, Germany.
Over six ft. long and balanced near the front for throwing.

10. Active hunting vs. scavenging
Communication needed for
group hunting.
Large animals with tool marks
on bones = butchered.
Carnivore teeth marks on top
of tool marks indicate that
man got to the carcasses first.

11. May have been cannibalistic
or performed ritualistic flesh
removal.
Did not consistently bury
their dead.
Atapuerca “Pit of Bones”:
29 of 32 individuals were
between the ages of ten and
nineteen.
Speculated epidemic or
selection of corpses.
No art or symbolic objects
found.

12. Altruistic
Evidence of caring for
the sick and elderly.
Elvis: 45 yr. old man, pelvis and spine indicate severe hunchback.
Twelve yr. old child with deformed skull found.
Other remains show signs of infection or abscesses.

13. Homo heidelbergensis
Skilled hunter and tool maker.
Language/Communication ability increasing.
Social Attitudes becoming closer to those of modern humans.
Ancestor to Neanderthals and Homo sapiens.

14. Images
Chazan, M. (1997).Redefining Levallois. Journal of Human Evolution, 33, 719-735.
Retrieved from http://journals.ohiolink.edu/ejc/article.cgi?issn=00472484&issue=
v33i0006&article=719_rl. Slide: 8
Evanson, T. (2012, May). Homo heidelbergensis endocast- Smithsonian Museum of
Natural History. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
Homo_heidelbergensis_endocast_-_Smithsonian_Museum_of_Natural_History_-
_2012-05-17.jpg
Lynch, J., & Barrett L. (2003). Walking With Cavemen. New York, New York: DK
Publishing, Inc. Slides: 4,9,10,11,12,13
Sawyer, G.J., & Deak, V. (2007). The Last Human, A guide to twenty-two species of extinct
humans. New York: Nèvraumont Publishing Company. Slides: 1,2
Trueba, J. Atapuerca.tv. Retrieved from http://www.atapuerca.tv/imagenes/archivo
/191.jpg. Slide: 6
Wagner, G. (2010, November). PNAS. Retrieved from http://www.pnas.org/content/
107/46/19726/F1.expansion.html. Slide: 5