---
lang: en
type: Hominin
record_kind: entity-profile
title: Homo heidelbergensis
description: An extinct hominin species from the Middle Pleistocene, considered the last common ancestor of both Neanderthals and modern humans, known for its large brain and advanced tool-making.
llms_summary: "Homo heidelbergensis. (Mauer, Baden-Württemberg, Germany). Hominin. Associated Tools Acheulean. Chronological Range 70%. Cranial Capacity 1,100 cc. Estimated Stature 1.57 m. Evolutionary Group Genus Homo. Extinction Context Evolved into descendant species; Neanderthals in Europe and Homo sapiens in Africa.  Fossil Abundance Hundreds of specimens. Type Specimen Mauer 1. Year Discovered 1907. Paleoanthropology. An extinct hominin species from the Middle Pleistocene, considered the last common ancestor of both Neanderthals and modern humans, known for its large brain and advanced tool-making.  canonical profile on Chrisyst Datasets"
canonical: "https://datasets.chrisyst.com/homo-heidelbergensis/index.md"
og_image: "https://datasets.chrisyst.com/images/homo-heidelbergensis.webp"
primary_image: /images/homo-heidelbergensis.webp
hvce_version: 1
site: chrisyst-datasets
slug: homo-heidelbergensis
record_kind: entity-profile
content_sha256: dfab656ec5e21ae8334c969188822ba5c936f3dfabeb54f72dbacae8dcb7675f
indexed_at: "2026-07-16T13:15:13.715Z"
license: citation-free
entities:
  -
    role: subject
    slug: homo-heidelbergensis
    name: Homo heidelbergensis
    type: Hominin
    profile_url: "https://datasets.chrisyst.com/homo-heidelbergensis/index.md"
    same_as:
      - "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105774"
---
# Homo heidelbergensis

An extinct hominin species from the Middle Pleistocene, considered the last common ancestor of both Neanderthals and modern humans, known for its large brain and advanced tool-making.

## Record

- **Title**: [Homo heidelbergensis](https://datasets.chrisyst.com/homo-heidelbergensis/index.md)
- **Geo target**: Mauer, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- **Website**: https://www.senckenberg.de/en/
- **Phone**: +49 69 75420
- **Email**: info@senckenberg.de
- **Address**: Senckenberganlage 25, Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, 60325, Germany
- **Coordinates**: 49.9986, 8.8005

### Summary

An extinct hominin species from the Middle Pleistocene, considered the last common ancestor of both Neanderthals and modern humans, known for its large brain and advanced tool-making.

### Description

## Homo heidelbergensis
Homo heidelbergensis is a pivotal extinct hominin species that inhabited Africa, Europe, and possibly Asia during the Middle Pleistocene, from approximately 700,000 to 200,000 years ago. It is widely considered the last common ancestor of Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) and modern humans (Homo sapiens). Anatomically, H. heidelbergensis presents a mosaic of features, combining a robust, heavily built postcranial skeleton with a significantly larger braincase than its predecessor, Homo erectus, averaging between 1100 and 1400 cubic centimeters. This cranial expansion is housed within a long, low skull featuring a prominent double-arched brow ridge, a receding forehead, and a prognathic mid-face. Fossils from key sites like Mauer in Germany, Petralona in Greece, and Kabwe in Zambia showcase adaptations to diverse, often cooler, environments.

The cultural and behavioral repertoire of Homo heidelbergensis marks a significant cognitive leap. This species is definitively associated with the Acheulean tool industry, producing sophisticated bifacial hand axes and cleavers that demonstrate advanced planning and skill. Compelling evidence from Schöningen, Germany, includes remarkably preserved wooden throwing spears, indicating they were capable big-game hunters who likely worked cooperatively. Furthermore, the Sima de los Huesos ("Pit of Bones") site in Spain, containing the remains of at least 28 individuals, offers the earliest potential evidence for mortuary practices. While debated, the deliberate deposition of bodies in this deep cave chamber suggests complex social behaviors and possibly the dawn of symbolic thought or ritual.

### Attributes

- **Associated Tools**: Acheulean
- **Chronological Range**: 70%
- **Cranial Capacity**: 1,100 cc _(quality 1250)_
- **Estimated Stature**: 1.57 m _(quality 2)_
- **Evolutionary Group**: Genus Homo
- **Extinction Context**: Evolved into descendant species; Neanderthals in Europe and Homo sapiens in Africa.
- **Fossil Abundance**: Hundreds of specimens
- **Type Specimen**: Mauer 1
- **Year Discovered**: 1907 _(quality 1907)_