Homo neanderthalensis skull La Chapelle-aux-Saints (50,000 years)

The Homo neanderthalensis skull was discovered by A. and J. Bouyssomie and J. Bonneval in 1908 in La Chapelle-aux-Saints, France.  It was the most complete Neanderthal skull found at the time.  Called the "old man," this individual clearly lived a long time, having much pathology, such as the declined tooth sockets in the molar region and severe arthritis in the neck.  Despite his very large brain capacity (over 1,600cm³), early descriptions by Boule declared him to be primitive, leading to the term "Neanderthal" becoming synonymous with brutality for decades.  More recently, however, many consider Neanderthal to have been a highly successful and social species with many of its physical features, such as low cranial vault and projected face, being due to adaptations to cold weather.  This cranium is representative of many fossil remains of Neanderthals found throughout present-day Europe.

Stand available - see product code SBH009.

Model size: 23(L) x 15(W) x 18.5(H) cm

The Bone Clones® Hominid Series

Our aim is to provide the best possible facsimile models of the most important hominid finds for the general public, educators and students, using the best reference material available.  Each hominid has been carefully researched and re-created based on some or all of the following: casts of original fossils, the latest literature (descriptions and/or published measurements), input from the scientific community and full colour, life-size photographs.  Every effort has been made to accurately re-create anatomical details of colour, size, shape, reconstructed areas, and bone/fossil texture.  The hominids offered in this series are high quality, artistic recreations that can be advantageously used by educators as important visual aids in the classroom and appreciated by the general public.  They are not intended for advanced graduate work nor to be measured for research purposes.

(Information courtesy Bone Clones, Inc)