What aspect of H. heidelbergensis brain morphology distinguishes it from earlier hominins?

A larger cranial capacity similar to modern humans is a key distinguishing feature of H. heidelbergensis when compared to earlier hominins. This increased cranial capacity indicates an expansion in brain size, which is often associated with advanced cognitive abilities and more complex social behaviors. H. heidelbergensis exhibited a brain capacity that ranged between 1,100 and 1,400 cubic centimeters, aligning it more closely with that of modern humans than with earlier species such as H. erectus, which had a smaller cranial capacity.

The implications of this larger brain size suggest that H. heidelbergensis could have had enhanced problem-solving abilities, improved tool-making skills, and possibly more sophisticated forms of communication compared to its predecessors, underlining its evolutionary significance.

In contrast, the other options present features that do not accurately reflect the characteristics of H. heidelbergensis. For instance, having a smaller cranial vault than H. erectus or a brain size that is significantly smaller than that of H. erectus contradicts the evidence found in the fossil record. Furthermore, a more elongated brain shape is not a defining characteristic of H. heidelbergensis in comparison to earlier hominins. Thus, the correct response emphasizes the