Australopithecus africanus Skull Sts 5 "Mrs. Ples" BH-007-C
$270.00

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Reconstruction by Bone Clones® 2007. Considered to have lived 2.5 MYA, the Australopithecus africanus Skull Sts 5 "Mrs. Ples" was discovered in 1947 by R. Broom and J. Robinson in Sterkfontein, Transvaal, South Africa. The discovery of this nearly complete cranium of a mature specimen led to a much more positive reception of South African australopithecines as hominids. Twenty years earlier Raymond Dart labeled a skull found at Taung "Australopithecus africanus." The dentition of that skull indicates that it was a juvenile, which led to much criticism and broad dismissal of Dart's contention that the skull was a hominid; instead, critics considered it an ape. Like other early hominids, it had an ape-sized brain. The Sts 5 cranial capacity is about 485 cc. Compared to Australopithecus afarensis, it has a more rounded skull, a less projecting face, absence of cranial crests, and smaller front teeth. However, the front teeth are larger than in robust australopithecines. The cheek teeth are larger than in Australopithecus afarensis but smaller than in the robust australopithecines. The discovery of Sts 5 two decades later provided support for Dart's earlier claim. Originally thought by Broom to be a middle-aged female, Sts 5 is now considered by most to be a male. The cranium without the lower jaw is also available. See below. Stand available. Custom Display Stand available below.

Australopithecus africanus Skull Sts 5 Stand, S-BH-007-C. $35.00 Order This / View Your Cart Shown here is a typical stand having a metal base and rod with a resin cradle, coated with thin rubber to prevent scratching and damage to paint on skull. Please note that the cradle is custom made for each different specimen. Color and shape may vary from the sample shown.

Australopithecus africanus Skull Sts 5 "Mrs. Ples" (Skull, no Lower Jaw) BH-007
$188.00

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Skull Sts 5 "Mrs. Ples" without the restored teeth and lower jaw. Custom Display Stand available below.

More About The Bone Clones® Hominid Series

Australopithecus africanus Skull Sts 5 Stand, S-BH-007. $35.00 Order This / View Your Cart Shown here is a typical stand having a metal base and rod with a resin cradle, coated with thin rubber to prevent scratching and damage to paint on skull. Please note that the cradle is custom made for each different specimen. Color and shape may vary from the sample shown.