H. cepranensis and H.

antecessor[edit]
These are proposed as species that may be intermediate between H. erectus and H.
heidelbergensis.

 H. antecessor is known from fossils from Spain and England that are dated 1.2 Ma–
500 ka.[179][180]
 H. cepranensis refers to a single skull cap from Italy, estimated to be about 800,000
years old.[181]
H. heidelbergensis[edit]
Main article: Homo heidelbergensis
H. heidelbergensis ("Heidelberg Man") lived from about 800,000 to about 300,000 years
ago. Also proposed as Homo sapiens heidelbergensis or Homo sapiens
paleohungaricus.[182]

H. rhodesiensis, and the Gawis cranium[edit]

 H. rhodesiensis, estimated to be 300,000–125,000 years old. Most current researchers
place Rhodesian Man within the group of Homo heidelbergensis, though other
designations such as archaic Homo sapiens and Homo sapiens rhodesiensis have
been proposed.
 In February 2006 a fossil, the Gawis cranium, was found which might possibly be a
species intermediate between H. erectus and H. sapiens or one of many evolutionary
dead ends. The skull from Gawis, Ethiopia, is believed to be 500,000–250,000 years
old. Only summary details are known, and the finders have not yet released a peer-
reviewed study. Gawis man's facial features suggest its being either an intermediate
species or an example of a "Bodo man" female.[183]
Neanderthal and Denisovan[edit]
Main articles: Neanderthal and Denisovan

Reconstruction of Homo heidelbergensis which may be the direct ancestor of both Homo
neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens.

Homo neanderthalensis, alternatively designated as Homo sapiens

neanderthalensis,[184] lived in Europe and Asia from 400,000[185] to about 28,000 years
ago.[186] There are a number of clear anatomical differences between anatomically modern
humans (AMH) and Neanderthal populations. Many of these relate to the superior
adaptation to cold environments possessed by the Neanderthal populations. Their surface
to volume ratio is an extreme version of that found amongst Inuit populations, indicating
that they were less inclined to lose body heat than were AMH. From brain Endocasts,
Neanderthals also had significantly larger brains. This would seem to indicate that the
intellectual superiority of AMH populations may be questionable. More recent research by
Eiluned Pearce, Chris Stringer, R.I.M. Dunbar, however, have shown important differences
in Brain architecture. For example, in both the orbital chamber size and in the size of
the occipital lobe, the larger size suggests that the Neanderthal had a better visual acuity
than modern humans. This would give a superior vision in the inferior light conditions found
in Glacial Europe. It also seems that the higher body mass of Neanderthals had a
correspondingly larger brain mass required for body care and control.[187]