Australopithecus afarensis, half scale skull

Australopithecus afarensis (“southern ape of Afar”) first appeared approximately 4 million years ago in the area that is now East Africa, and disappeared around 3 million years ago.  They stood upright, but did not walk with quite the same gait as modern humans.  Their brain was slightly larger than that of the chimpanzee.  A. afarensis had an apelike face with a low forehead, brow ridge, a flat nose and no chin (the chin is only developed in modern humans).  The incisor teeth were rather apelike, but the canines were smaller than most apes.  Fossil teeth suggest that the A. afarensis diet included fibrous fruits, plants and seeds.  Some scientists believe that A. afarensis or a close relative may have been the direct ancestor to our human line (genus Homo).  Over 200 specimens of A. afarensis have been recovered from Hadar, Ethiopia, alone – making it perhaps the best understood early hominid.

Also see the full sized hominid skull, BH001.

Model size: 8.9(L) x 7(W) x 7.6(H) cm

The Bone Clones Half-Scale Series

Sculpted by anatomical sculptor Dr. Steve Wagner, and licensed exclusively to Bone Clones, these detailed miniature skulls accurately represent the osteological anatomy of 7 primate skulls:  Human, Gorilla, Chimpanzee and 4 early hominids.  Made of our custom formulated, durable, resin and expertly finished, these extraordinary miniature skulls feature all the detail of the originals.  Easily handled, and a convenient size for comparative study, the Bone Clones Half Scale Series skulls display beautifully and are a great teaching aid.

(Information courtesy Bone Clones, Inc)