A HOMINID FROM THE LOWER PLEISTOCENE OF ATAPUERCA, SPAIN - POSSIBLE ANCESTOR TO NEANDERTHALS AND MODERN HUMANS

Human fossil remains recovered from the TD6 level (Aurora stratum) of the lower Pleistocene cave site of Gran Dolina, Sierra de Atapuerca, S pain, exhibit a unique combination of cranial, mandibular, and dental traits and are suggested as a new species of Homo-H. antecessor sp. no v. The fully modern midfacial morphology of the fossils antedates othe r evidence of this feature by about 650,000 years. The midfacial and s ubnasal morphology of modern humans may be a retention of a juvenile p attern that was not yet present in H. ergaster. Homo antecessor may re present the last common ancestor for Neandertals and modern humans.