Homo bodoensis

The Homo bodoensis is an extinct species. They are the ancestors of humans. They belonged to the genus Homo, the same genus to which Homo sapiens (the current day man) belong to. It was first described and introduced in October 2021. The fossils of Homo bodoensis were discovered in 1970s. However, some of the anthropologists grouped it under Homo heidelbergensis and some others grouped it under Homo rhodesiensis. In October 2021, it was concluded that they belonged to none. But were different from the Homo species known so far. And were given the name “Homo bodoensis”. Thus, the literature was not based on discovered fossils. But it rearranged the description.

Naming of Homo bodoensis

Homo bodoensis means “human from Bodo”. Homo is derived from Latin. Bodoensis refers to the Bodo skull from where the fossil of the specimen was collected. It was discovered in Afar Depression in Awash River valley of Ethiopia.

About Homo bodoensis

The Bodo skull was first recovered in 1976. The Bodo skull had features of both Homo sapiens and Homo erectus. The species lived about 500,000 years ago in Africa. This was during the middle of Pleistocene age. They are the direct ancestors of the modern humans. The height of the male was five feet and nine inches. They weighed 63 kilograms. The females were 5 feet and 2 inches tall. They weighed 50 kilograms.

Issue solved

Previously, the Homo bodoensis were given different species designations. For instance, the Bodo skull and its related other fossils were called Homo heidelbergensis or Homo rhodesiensis. The Homo heidelbergensis was found in Germany. It is 609,000 years old. Similar bones were found in Africa and Europe as well. However, scientists differ in their opinion on whether they can be called Homo heidelbergensis. The Homo rhodesiensis was the name given to the skull first discovered in Zambia in 1921. There were debates if the Bodo skull shall be put into Homo rhodesiensis. Now, this issue of difference of opinion was solved in October 2021. The Bodo skull has been put into the species of Homo bodoensis, that is, a new species.

Other Hominins during Pleistocene

The Neanderthals emerged during the middle Pleistocene in Europe. In Asia, their sister group Denisovans evolved almost during the same period. In Africa Homo naledi emerged during the middle Pleistocene period. The main issue is how to figure out which species gave rise to which. Earlier, anthropologists believed that Homo heidelbergensis was the ancestor of Neanderthals. However, this was then proved wrong. Because, the Neanderthals emerged in the early Pleistocene. Neanderthals lived in Spain even before 430,000 years ago.