Early Homo
Homo antecessor
1.2–0.8 Ma·400 ka·Discovered 1994
Description
Discovered in Atapuerca. Preserves the oldest known evidence of cannibalism among hominins.
Notable facts
- Face already has modern features
- Cut marks on bones prove cannibalism
- 85 fragments from 6 individuals
- Probable ancestor of H. heidelbergensis
Key specimens
ATD6-15 / ATD6-69
"Boy of Gran Dolina"
Frontal and face of a juvenile, found in 1994 at Gran Dolina, Atapuerca.
Anatomy
Modern-looking face, robust body, smaller brain than later Europeans.
Locomotion
Modern bipedal.
Diet
Omnivorous; cannibalism evidence.
Tools & culture
Mode 1 stone tools.
Where to see it
CENIEH and Museum of Human Evolution, Burgos.
Media & references
Image ·
Wikimedia Commons · Wikipedia article
Bermúdez de Castro, Arsuaga, Carbonell, Rosas, Martínez & Mosquera (1997). A hominid from the Lower Pleistocene of Atapuerca, Spain: Possible ancestor to Neandertals and modern humans. Science.
doi: 10.1126/science.276.5317.1392 ↗