Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Homo rhodesiensis

Homo rhodesiensis

9.9
An early human who lived in Africa and is known from old bones
  • noun
  • /ˈhoʊmoʊ roʊˈdiːziˌɛn.sɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Homo rhodesiensis
  • Many researchers debate whether Homo rhodesiensis should be considered a separate species or part of Homo heidelbergensis.

Examples

  • The discovery of Homo rhodesiensis has changed our understanding of human evolution.

  • Fossil evidence of Homo rhodesiensis has provided important insights into human evolution in Africa.

  • The skull attributed to Homo rhodesiensis was discovered in Zambia in the early 20th century.

  • Did Homo rhodesiensis coexist with other early human species?

  • Based on fossil evidence found in Africa, Homo rhodesiensis is believed to share some physical traits with Neanderthals.

  • Fossils of Homo rhodesiensis discovered in Africa suggest that this extinct species lived during the Pleistocene epoch.

  • Researchers have studied the remains of Homo rhodesiensis to understand its similarities and differences with other ancient human species.

Synonyms

Rhodesian man
vsHomo rhodesiensis
  • Specialized
9.9

A type of early human from long ago with bones found in Zambia

is the scientific Latin name used by scientists for the same species

Surface Forms

Homo rhodesiensis singular
Homo rhodesienses plural

Morphology

Homo + rhodesiensis

This is a standard binomial taxonomic name combining the genus 'Homo' (human) with a Latin species epithet 'rhodesiensis' (literally ‘from Rhodesia’); if a learner knows both constituents they can compositionally infer it denotes a human species originating from Rhodesia. Although the term is technical, its meaning follows transparent Latin naming conventions rather than an idiomatic shift, so the basic sense is recoverable from the parts.

Etymology

Homo rhodesiensis comes from Latin words: Homo means 'man' and rhodesiensis means 'from Rhodesia', the area where the main skull was found in Africa. So the name tells us this is an early human species discovered in that place.