Final answer:
Homo heidelbergensis is the hominin species from which H. sapiens and Neanderthals derive. It lived between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago and had characteristics intermediate between earlier Homo species and modern humans. option d
Step-by-step explanation:
The hominin species from which H. sapiens and Neanderthals derive is Homo heidelbergensis.
Homo heidelbergensis is believed to be the common ancestor of both H. sapiens and Neanderthals. This species lived in Africa, Europe, and possibly Asia between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago. Fossil evidence shows that H. heidelbergensis had characteristics intermediate between earlier Homo species and modern humans.
For example, H. heidelbergensis had a larger brain capacity than earlier species, with an average of around 1200 cc, which is closer to the brain size of modern humans. Additionally, H. heidelbergensis appears to have used more advanced tools, indicating an increased level of intelligence and cultural complexity.