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Homo antecessor ('pioneer man') is an archaic human species from 1.2 to 0.8 million years ago during the Early Pleistocene. Fossils have been found in the Sierra de Atapuerca in Spain, the first in 1994. The species was one of the first humans to colonise Western Europe. They followed savanna habitats prevalent in the area when frigid glacial periods were transitioning to warmer interglacials, and vacated at other times. Despite being so ancient, they had a face unexpectedly similar to that of a modern human. Brain volume could have been 1,000 cm3 (61 cu in) or more, compared with present-day human averages of 1,270 cm3 (78 cu in) for males and 1,130 cm3 (69 cu in) for females. Stature estimates range from 162.3 to 186.8 cm (5 ft 4 in to 6 ft 2 in). H. antecessor manufactured simple pebble and flake stone tools out of quartz and chert, although they used a variety of materials. Many of the specimens found were cannibalised, perhaps as a cultural practice. There is no evidence of fire usage. (Full article...)