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What evidence suggests that Homo heidelbergensis may be related to Neanderthals?

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Illustration showing side-by-side reconstructions of five hominins in the human lineage: Australopithecus afarensis, Homo habilis, Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis, and Homo sapiens, with each figure labeled and depicted in a walking pose to highlight evolutionary changes in posture and body structure. A scale bar at the top right indicates relative height. — human evolution An artist's depiction of five species of the human lineage.

Evidence suggesting that Homo heidelbergensis is an ancestor of the Neanderthals is primarily based on morphological and evolutionary analysis of the fossil record. Many researchers view H. heidelbergensis as a common ancestor that diverged into distinct lineages, with a European population of this species eventually evolving into H. neanderthalensis.12

Key evidence supporting this relationship includes:

Fossil Remains: Specimens found at the Sima de los Huesos site in Spain, dated to approximately 430,000 years ago, are often attributed to H. heidelbergensis or archaic H. sapiens. These remains are considered the presumed ancestors of the Neanderthals.3
Anatomical Continuity: Researchers note that the Neanderthals and their predecessors at Sima de los Huesos share specific physical traits, such as reduced lumbar lordosis (back curvature), which distinguishes them from modern humans.4
Evolutionary Modeling: Genetic studies indicate that the lineages leading to Neanderthals and modern humans split at least 136,000 years ago. This supports the scenario that a population of H. heidelbergensis exited Africa and underwent a process of European diversification that culminated in the Neanderthals.2