Overview
Proposed in 2021 to resolve the taxonomic confusion around Middle Pleistocene African hominins. Intended to replace "African H. heidelbergensis" and the problematic H. rhodesiensis, encompassing African Middle Pleistocene fossils like the Bodo cranium. Proposed as the direct ancestor of H. sapiens. Not yet universally accepted, but represents an important attempt to bring order to the "muddle in the middle."
Key Fossils
Bodo cranium (Ethiopia), possibly Kabwe cranium
Brain Anatomy
No Cranial Data Available
No cranial remains or endocasts have been recovered for this species, so brain morphology cannot be directly assessed.
Tools & Technology
No Tool Associations
No stone tools have been directly associated with this species in the archaeological record.
Diet
Omnivorous; evidence of meat processing from cut marks on Bodo cranium
Genetics & Ancient DNA
| Genome Coverage | % |
|---|---|
| DNA Source | |
| Sequencing Year | |
| mtDNA Available | No |
| Nuclear DNA | No |
| Divergence Date (fossil calibrated) | 600 KYA |
H. bodoensis (proposed): no DNA.
Molecular clock data from TimeTree 5 (Kumar et al. 2022).
Scientific References
- (2022). "Resolving the muddle in the middle: The case for Homo bodoensis sp. nov.". Evolutionary Anthropology 31:20-29. DOI:10.1002/evan.21929 (52 citations)