Australopithecus afarensis Skull "Selam"

BH-058 $326.00

A skull and partial skeleton of DIK-1-1, "Selam", also known as Dikika Baby or Lucy's Child, was found during the 2000, 2002, 2003 field seasons by Zeresenay Alemseged in Hadar Formation in Ethiopia, which spans in age of 3.31 to 3.35 million years.

The skull was encased in a block of sandstone matrix that had to be carefully exposed over several years. The result revealed a young individual with portions of the frontal and parietal bones still intact and a complete brain endocast. The mandible is complete and all deciduous teeth are well preserved, save for the left lower incisors. CT scans of the original specimen reveal complete deciduous tooth eruption with evidence of molar root development. Based on African ape dental development models, the individual's age is estimated to be 3 years old. Researchers suggest this individual is female, based on CT-based measurements and attributes of other A. afarensis specimens. The skull size and facial proportions resemble those of other juvenile hominins of similar age, such as Taung child, but specific morphology of the face indicate it is most likely A. afarensis. This incredible specimen adds valuable information on the early development of hominins and would be a great addition to any biological anthropology program.

The Bone Clones® Fossil Hominid line is composed of discoveries from anatomically modern humans, archaic humans, early Homo, early hominins, and other hominids. The majority of the casts in this line have been recreated by our team of anatomical sculptors. Some are reconstructions made by anthropology professionals using fragmentary elements from original discoveries and extrapolating the missing parts from those (i.e. Neanderthal skeleton).

Custom display stand available below.

Cranium & jaw are combined into one single cast.
They do not separate.