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Homo erectus - Sangiran 17 Skull. Discovered in 1969 by Mr. Towikromo
in Java, Indonesia and first described in 1971 by S. Sartono as Pithecanthropus
erectus (Pithecanthropus 8). According to Johanson, et.al. in From Lucy
to Language "Once it was reconstructed, Sangiran 17 constituted the
best-preserved hominid cranium from Java and the only known adult male Homo
erectus from anywhwere". He also suggests that this Java Man evolved in
place and then passed on these traits to its descendants, Homo sapiens,
that then migrated to Australia some 50,000 years ago. The recreation has
tried to duplicate all those features and details that appear in the original
specimen and make it such an important link to modern man. |
Homo erectus was known also as Pithecanthropus pekinenses (Sinanthropus).
The original reconstruction was prepared by Dr. F. Weidenreeich and Mrs.
Lucile Swan in 1937 from the fossil remains of several different individuals
found in the caves at Zhoukoudian, China. The skull is somewhat unique in
that a rare metopic suture is present along the mid-line of the frontal
bone. The re-creation offered here is based on a more recent reconstruction
by Sawyer and Tattersal of the American Museum of Natural History. In Sawyers
and Tattersals reconstruction the jaw, being more massive is based on a
male, while the original was based on female.
Size: 8 1/4"L, 5 1/2"W, 6 1/2"H
Origin: Zhoukoudian, China
Age: 500,000 - 400,000 years old |
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Homo heidelbergensis Rhodesian Man
Originally described in 1921 in Nature as Rhodesian Man (H. rhodesiensis),
this is the first human ancestor to be found in Africa. The discovery, in
Kabwe, Zambia, led to a radiation of interest in the search for human origins.
In recreating this important skull, every effort was made to preserve all
details, colrs and accurate measurements.
Size: 9"L, 6"W, 5 3/4"H
Origin: Kabwe, Zambia
Age: 300,000 years old |
