Overview
The earliest securely dated hominin from Western Europe, known from fragmentary remains of at least six individuals from the Gran Dolina cave site at Atapuerca, Spain. Notable for a surprisingly modern-looking midface and evidence of cannibalism (cut marks and percussion marks on hominin bones). Protein analysis in 2020 confirmed it branched off before the Neanderthal-sapiens split.
Key Fossils
ATD6-5 (partial face), ATD6-15 (frontal bone)
Brain Anatomy
No Cranial Data Available
Tools & Technology
Specific Tool Types
| Tool | Material | Function | Tradition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flake tool | stone | Cutting meat, slicing plant material | Oldowan |
Diet
Omnivorous; evidence of cannibalism from cut marks on human bones
Social Organization
| Group Size | 30–60 individuals |
|---|---|
| Method | Site area |
| Structure | Multi male multi female |
| Sexual Dimorphism | 1.12x (male/female body mass) |
| Task Differentiation | Cut-marked hominin bones |
H. antecessor: cannibalism evidence implies within-group or inter-group conflict/coordination.
Genetics & Ancient DNA
| Genome Coverage | % |
|---|---|
| DNA Source | |
| Sequencing Year | |
| mtDNA Available | No |
| Nuclear DNA | No |
| Divergence Date (fossil calibrated) | 1.0 MYA |
H. antecessor: no genome; protein analysis places deep split (Welker et al. framework).
Molecular clock data from TimeTree 5 (Kumar et al. 2022).
Phylogenetic Relationships
| Related Species | Relationship | Confidence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homo erectus | Possible ancestor | Weak | H. antecessor may derive from an early H. erectus dispersal to Europe |
Key Specimens
| Specimen | Name | Site | Year | Age (MYA) | Completeness | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATD6-15 | Gran Dolina juvenile | Atapuerca | 1994 | 0.85 | 30.00% | Early Homo from Atapuerca |
Comparative Anatomy
| Encephalization Quotient | 3.90 |
|---|---|
| Intermembral Index | 80.0 |
| Locomotion | Striding biped |
| Foramen Magnum | Anterior |
| Precision Grip | Developed |
| Pelvic Shape | Intermediate |
| Robusticity | Moderate |
| Big Toe | Fully adducted |
| Thorax | Intermediate |
H. antecessor: earliest western European hominin sample.
Isotope Analyses
| System | Value | Material | Site | Date (MYA) | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| delta C13 | -12.00 | Bone apatite | Gesher Benot Ya'aqov | 0.790 | GBY Acheulean occupation: Levantine ecosystem isotopic context. |
Dating Evidence
| Method | Date (MYA) | Uncertainty | Material | Site / Specimen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ar Ar | 1.2000 | ± 0.0500 | Atapuerca section tephras | Atapuerca |
| U series | 0.4300 | ± 0.0200 | Speleothems / flowstone (Sima) | Atapuerca / Cranium 5 |
Fossil Occurrences
The Paleobiology Database records 1 fossil occurrence(s) attributed to Homo antecessor. View on map →
| Identified As | Location | Formation | Age (MYA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homo antecessor | ES | – | 2.58 – 0.01 |
Data from the Paleobiology Database (CC-BY).
Scientific References
- (1997). "A hominid from the Lower Pleistocene of Atapuerca, Spain". Science 276:1392-1395