Homo rudolfensis skull KNM-ER 1470 (1.8 to 1.9 million years)

The Homo rudolfensis skull KNM-ER 1470 was discovered by B. Ngeneo in 1972 at Koobi Fora in Kenya and described by R. Leakey in Nature in 1973.  The classification of this specimen has been a matter of debate since its discovery, with some scientists arguing in favour of Australopithecus, and some in favour of a species of Homo.  Originally dated (incorrectly) a million years before habilis, the most current theory holds that though contemporaneous and geographically concurrent with habilis, this specimen is in fact a different species of Homo.  Homo rudolfensis skull KNM-ER1470 features a 750cm³ braincase, too large for australopithecines, and perhaps even for habilis, and lacks the crests and heavy muscle markings that characterize australopithecine skulls, as well as lacking the brow ridges associated with Homo erectus.  Several features differ from other habilis specimens (a longer face, squared upper jaw and short, shallow palate), leading some scientists to conclude that there is too great a range of characteristics within the specimens for them to be a single species.  In 1986 Valerii Alexeev proposed another species within Homo, giving 1470 the scientific name Homo rudolfensis.  A photograph of this specimen was used on the cover of Leakey and Lewin's book Origins.

Stand available - see product code SBH013.

Model size: 20.5(L) x 12.5(W) x 16(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)