Australopithecus africanus Skull, STS 5 "Mrs. Ples", Museum Quality (Replica)

Dated from 2-3 MYA. Australopithecus africanus was slenderly built, or gracile, and was thought to have been a direct ancestor of modern humans. Fossil remains indicate that A. africanus was significantly more like modern humans than A. afarensis, with a more human-like cranium permitting a larger brain, smaller teeth, and more humanoid facial features. It has been found at only four sites in southern Africa. This specimen, “Mrs. Ples”, was discovered by R. Broom and J. Robinson in 1947 at Sterkfontein Transvaal, South Africa. The discovery of this nearly complete cranium helped lead to a much more positive reception of South African Australopithecines as hominids. Stand available.

This museum quality replica is cast from an exactingly-produced sculpture, based on photographs, descriptions and precise measurements of original fossils.

Bone Clones® Replica