Human fossils, Sima de los Huesos

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Human fossils, Sima de los Huesos

Human fossils, Sima de los Huesos. These human fossils are a selection of the hundreds of pieces found at Sima de los Huesos (Pit of Bones). It is thought that the site was used as a cemetary by early humans, 400, 000 years ago. The fossils were classified as Homo heidelbergensis, an extinct species that forms a relatively recent part of the human evolutionary tree. It may have been an ancestor of both Neanderthals and modern humans. There is debate over whether the fossils should be attributed to H. heidelbergensis or H. neanderthalensis, as some anatomical features are transitional between the two species. Sima de los Huesos is one of several sites in Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain, that have been studied on and off over the past century, leading to a massive advancement in the understanding of human evolution. In 2000, Sierra de Atapuerca was made a world heritage site by UNESCO

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Media ID 6343161

© JAVIER TRUEBA/MSF/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Anthropological Anthropology Archaeological Archaeological Site Archaeology Cranium Early Evidence Evolutionary Biology Excavated Fossil Fossilised Hominid Hominoid Homo Heidelbergensis Human Evolution Humanity Palaentological Palaeoanthropology Paleoanthropology Pieces Pit Of Bones Preserved Remains Sierra De Atapuerca Sima De Los Huesos Spain Unesco Unique World Heritage Site Palaeontology Pelvis

EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the remarkable human fossils discovered at Sima de los Huesos, also known as the Pit of Bones. These ancient remains are just a small selection from the hundreds of pieces found at this extraordinary site in Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain. Dating back approximately 400,000 years ago, it is believed that early humans used this location as a cemetery. The fossils have been classified as Homo heidelbergensis, an extinct species that holds significant importance in our understanding of human evolution. This particular species may have served as a common ancestor to both Neanderthals and modern humans. However, there is ongoing debate among experts regarding whether these fossils should be attributed to H. heidelbergensis or H. neanderthalensis due to certain anatomical features displaying transitional characteristics between the two. Sima de los Huesos has played a pivotal role in advancing our knowledge of humanity's past and has contributed immensely to fields such as anthropology and paleontology. In recognition of its scientific significance, UNESCO designated Sierra de Atapuerca as a world heritage site in 2000. This stunning photograph not only captures the preserved evidence of our ancestors but also serves as a testament to the continuous exploration and excavation efforts carried out over decades by dedicated researchers in their pursuit of unraveling the mysteries surrounding human evolution.

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