Homo sapiens idàltu

fossil hominid subspecies

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July 22, 2026

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Homo sapiens idaltu is a fossil hominid subspecies that is primarily known from fossil skulls discovered in 1997 near Herto, Ethiopia. These fossils date to approximately 160,000 years ago.1

While H. sapiens sapiens (modern humans) is the only widely accepted subspecies of Homo sapiens today, H. sapiens idaltu has been considered a potential second subspecies. However, some researchers argue that the Herto fossils are not distinct enough to warrant this classification. The classification of fossil hominids is complex, with ongoing debate among paleoanthropologists regarding the relationships between various species and subspecies within the genus Homo.123

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Homo sapiens sapiens
…21st century only one group, H. s. idàltu (known primarily from fossil skulls discovered in 1997 near Herto, Ethiopia, and dating to about 160,000 years ago), was being considered as a second subspecies of H. sapiens. Some researchers have argued, however, that the Herto fossils are not distinct enough to…
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…21st century only one group, H. s. idàltu (known primarily from fossil skulls discovered in 1997 near Herto, Ethiopia, and dating to about 160,000 years ago), was being considered as a second subspecies of H. sapiens. Some researchers have argued, however, that the Herto fossils are not distinct enough to…
Read More