Twentieth anniversary of Homo antecessor (1997‐2017): a review

Abstract

It has been twenty years since diagnosis and publication of the species Homo antecessor. Since then, new human fossils recovered from the TD6 level of the Gran Dolina site (Sierra de Atapuerca, northern Spain) have helped to refine its taxonomic and phylogenetic position. In this paper, we present a synthesis of the most characteristic features of this species, as well as our interpretation derived from the latest investigations. We focus on the phylogenetic interpretation of Homo antecessor, taking into account the most recent paleogenetic analyses and a reassessment of the European Middle Pleistocene hominin record. We try to show that, twenty years after its publication, H. antecessor provides a good opportunity to address the morphology of the last common ancestor of Neandertals and modern humans.

Ectopic maxillary third molar in Early PleistoceneHomo antecessorfrom Atapuerca‐Gran Dolina site (Burgos, Spain)

“…The specimen represents individual H3 of the TD6 hypodigm. According to modern human standards, the estimated dental age of this individual was 10-11 (Bermúdez de Castro, Martinón-Torres, Arsuaga, et al, 2017;Bermúdez de Castro, Martinón-Torres, Martín-Francés, et al, 2017). Fractures affect the right maxilla at various locations, including the posterior surface of the alveolar process causing the loss of the right M 2 and M 3 .…”

“…While primitive features are mostly present in the dentition, the majority of derived traits are related to H . antecessor modern‐like facial morphology, pattern of facial remodeling and dental development (Arsuaga et al, ; Bermúdez de Castro et al, ; Bermúdez de Castro et al, ; Bermúdez de Castro & Martinón‐Torres, ; Bermúdez de Castro, Martinón‐Torres, Arsuaga, & Carbonell, ). Based on dental remains, the fossil assemblage represents MNI of eight individuals between 3.5 and 17 years old (Bermúdez de Castro, Martinón‐Torres, Martín‐Francés, et al, ).…”

“…H. antecessor is characterized by a unique combination of primitive and derived features. While primitive features are mostly present in the dentition, the majority of derived traits are related to H. antecessor modern-like facial morphology, pattern of facial remodeling and dental development Bermúdez de Castro, Martinón-Torres, Arsuaga, & Carbonell, 2017). Based on dental remains, the fossil assemblage represents MNI of eight individuals between 3.5 and 17 years old (Bermúdez de Castro, Martinón-Torres, Martín-Francés, et al, 2017).…”

Short and long period growth markers of enamel formation distinguish European Pleistocene hominins

“…The level TE9 of the Sima del Elefante site has yielded a mandible with teeth and a manual phalanx of an undetermined hominin dated to 1.3-1.1 Ma [18][19][20] . In unit TD6.2 of the younger Gran Dolina site (~0.9-0.8 Ma), more than 160 human fossils representing at least 8 individuals attributed to the species H. antecessor have been recovered [21][22][23][24] . The more recent Sima de los Huesos site (~0.43 Ma), contains more than 7000 human fossils ascribed to at least 28 individuals whose taxonomical attribution is still under discussion, although genetic and morphological data strongly suggest that the Sima de los Huesos hominins are likely Neandertal ancestors 25 .…”

“…The more recent Sima de los Huesos site (~0.43 Ma), contains more than 7000 human fossils ascribed to at least 28 individuals whose taxonomical attribution is still under discussion, although genetic and morphological data strongly suggest that the Sima de los Huesos hominins are likely Neandertal ancestors 25 . The phylogenetic relationships among these three archaeological populations are still unknown 18,19,21,22,25 .…”