Homo athielensis

Homo athielensis (also H. erectus athielensis) is an extinct species, or subspecies, that existed that existed between 120,000 - 776,000 years ago. It is subsumed to be a subspecies of H. erectus. Due to the very recent discovery of this subspecies, many classifications are still debated.

H. athielensis is placed as the most recent common ancestor between modern humans, as well as elves, and H. erectus. The one specimen that was discovered may have existed just before the human/elf split. As research continues, more and more discoveries, especially concerning the relationship between elves and humans, may unravel. During the era in which this specimen lived, brain size averaged around 1,200 cc, comparable to modern humans and elves. Height averaged around 165.5 cm (1.655 blocks) for the specimen in Athiel, Tortuga. They are also postulated to have wide chests and robust overall.

H. athielensis oversaw the advent of distinctive flint handaxes, diverging from contemporary H. erectus, and probably relates to increasing intelligence. Fire, or possibly other heating sources such as springs in nearby mountains, may have became an integral part of daily life, coinciding with the appearance of widespread occupation of Rathnir and the appearance of hafting technology to create more sophisticated weapons. Because of this, H. athielensis carried out more coordinated hunting strategies and seemed to have a higher dependence on meat.