Mammal · GBIF taxon 4827561
Homo heidelbergensis
Homo heidelbergensisAlso known as Heidelberg Man
Heidelberg humans were robust hominins possessing massive brow ridges, thick cranial bones, and brain volumes overlapping modern human ranges. Bands constructed wooden thrusting spears and refined Acheulean stone tools to systematically bring down large game across open landscapes. Evidence from sites across Eurasia and Africa demonstrates complex cooperative foraging, hearth maintenance, and the earliest potential instances of deliberate mortuary disposal.
Fossil HomininPleistocene
Licensed referenceGerbil / CC BY 3.0 · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
ExtinctConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXExtinctRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Red Deer
- Steppe Horse
- European Rhinoceros
Predators
- Cave Lion
- Sabertooth Cat
- Steppe Hyena
ThreatsSevere glacial climate fluctuations, food scarcity, and large carnivore competition
HabitatsTemperate mixed woodlands, open steppe grasslands, and savanna mosaics
Life span30–40 years
Classification
- FamilyHominidae
- SpeciesHomo heidelbergensis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Extinct species known only from fossil and archaeological remains.
Responsible observation
- Museum Exhibits: Study fossil casts and Acheulean handaxes in natural history museums to view morphological features.
- Site Etiquette: Avoid disturbing protected paleoanthropological dig sites or removing sedimentary fragments.
Descendant Lineage Ryan Schwark / CC0 · cc0
Sister Lineage no rights reserved, uploaded by Abhas Misraraj · cc0
Probable Ancestor Eduard Pop et al. / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
Competitor PierreSelim / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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