por what is the Homo heidelbergensis?
He Homo heidelbergensis It is a primitive species that, according to researchers, arose approximately 600,000 years ago and remained until 200,000 years ago, a period that allowed it to adapt to the conditions of its habitat and survive.
Compared to its predecessors, such as the homo ergaster and erectusrepresented a significant advance of evolution and transformation, since there are scientists who consider that it is the beginning of the races Homo yesapiens and Homo neanderthalensis and, in general, of the human as it is known today.
It is the first lineage that denotes actions of human mentality, conscience and reasoning. In other words, of symbolic thought.
Likewise, they are recognized for being the first species that made great inventions to survive, such as the continued use of bonfires, an element that allowed them to alter their daily lives and improve their quality of life, as well as their diet.
He also innovated in the construction of shelters that he used as a home and revealed the need to live in company. The study of Homo heidelbergensis it produced great discoveries in the development of the human being and promoted a different knowledge of its descendants.
discovery of Homo heidelbergensis
Despite the fact that its origin dates back more than 600,000 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 the Mauer jaw. The German scientist Otto Schoentensack was in charge of investigating and qualifying 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 discovery.
However, this is not the only proof of the existence of H. heidelbergensis. Later, in the Caune de l’Arago cave, located in France, fragments of this species were found. Among them are an incomplete skull that received the nickname of the Tautavel Man; This is accompanied by a set of fossils dating back 450 thousand years.
Perhaps one of the most famous discoveries about this species is that of Sima de Los Huesos in the Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain. There, pieces belonging to approximately thirty individuals were found.
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 the Homo heidelbergensis in Dali, China; in Bodo d’Arcerca, Ethiopia; in Kabwe, Zambia; at Lake Ndutu, Tanzania; and in other countries.
Features of the Homo heidelbergensis
Due to the large number of remains of this primitive species, experts have been able to carefully study the genetics, physiognomy and even the DNA that characterize it.
Some of the most important peculiarities are based on its corpulent anatomy, perhaps generated by evolution itself and the product of the need to survive at the low temperatures of its environment.
This species was much larger than those examined up to then, a fact that was provided by bone fragments and which allowed us to calculate its bone structure.
These individuals had an average height of 1.75 meters in men and 1.57 meters in women, with a weight between 55 and 100 kilograms depending on their gender.
They had a broad pelvis and back, giving way to thick, stocky limbs with abundant pubic hair that protected them from the cold. Also, their sexual organs resembled those of modern humans.
cranial capacity
Studies affirm that the brain of Homo heidelbergensis it measured between 1,100 and 1,350 cubic centimeters, quite large and considered similar to that of today’s human.
Its form was flattened or flattened and its features were coarse; this last data is denoted through prominent jaws and its wide nose.
Other analyzes add that they had no chin and had fewer teeth than their predecessors. To the naked eye, these individuals did not have a prominent profile and the face gave the impression of being slightly submerged on 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 great advance.
There are even theories that point out the ability to listen and produce sounds with the lips, which indicates the existence of a spoken language.
The mental capacity of the Homo heidelbergensis It doesn’t just come this far. Various tests indicate that they had the ability to make music by hitting the ceilings of the caves, actions that denote a different brain capacity than their ancestors.
There are also scientists who claim that they shared religious ideas and had hypotheses about life after death that brought them together, what today is called beliefs and that are pillars in a culture.
Tools of the Homo heidelbergensis
The knowledge and mastery that these subjects had over wood and stones was fantastic and this is demonstrated by the uses that were given to these elements.
The natural resources that surrounded them, added to the skill of their aptitudes, made them develop tools that little had been seen before. To this is added that many times they subjected the stones and other materials to heat, to mold them in an easier way without modifying their hardness and resistance.
For example, him Homo heidelbergensis It 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 utensils 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 evidences great skill in shaping and the patience to create these much more complex artifacts.
Specialists say that it is a heavy contraption and difficult to maneuver, a characteristic that it was able to overcome thanks to its robust build.
the javelin
This tool was used more to capture animals at a greater distance, testing their strength and aiming skills.
It is worth noting the use of a stronger wood in this artifact, in order to give the tip more firmness.
Food of the Homo heidelbergensis
As already mentioned, this species was the pioneer in hunting larger and stronger animals, which diversified its diet.
Due to the time and habitat of the Homo heidelbergensisthis was surrounded by abundant mammals, such as deer, bears, wild boars, straight-tusked elephants, horses, hyenas, panthers, among others.
An important point in this regard is the continued use of bonfires. There are numerous reasons to believe that this species used this combustible material by generating friction with a wooden stick, an opinion supported by the remains of fire that have been found in various locations.
This innovation contributed to the improvement of their diet, since from this discovery, the food was subjected to fire. Undoubtedly, this was beneficial in terms of taste and sanitation.
Researchers affirm 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 more rapid evolution of the brain.
habitat of Homo heidelbergensis
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, due to 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 human ancestor 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 lairs built of wood and stone were found. Studies indicate that these structures were oval in shape and were approximately 25 feet long and 20 feet wide.
He Homo heidelbergensis lived in small groups and was surrounded by a wooded environment that was covered with snow on several occasions.
At first it was full of oak trees and with the humidity it became a more swampy environment. For this reason, the use 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 species called homo neanderthalensis in Europe, and Homo sapiens in Africa, races that are considered the origin of the human being.
What can be stated forcefully is that the study of this species helped to better understand its contribution to future generations and the history of planet Earth.
References
«500,000 years, Homo Heidelbergensis» in Quo. Retrieved from quo.es
“Homo Heidelbergensis” (2015) in Australian Museum. Retrieved from australianmuseum.net.au
«The timeline of human evolution» in ZME Science. Recovered from zmescience.com