Description – Materials and Creation Process: High-detail replica crafted from durable PETG. Hand-painted to accurately replicate the color and surface texture of the real fossil. Dimensions: Full-scale life-sized replica: ~195 mm (L) × 145 mm (W) × 135 mm (H) / 7.68" (L) × 5.71" (W) × 5.31" (H) Jaw: Lower jaw is present. Significance in Anthropology: Dating: ~1.9 million years ago Discovered: 1973 by Kamoya Kimeu, Koobi Fora, Kenya Importance:
One of the most complete skulls of early Homo.
A central specimen in the debate over early hominin taxonomy.
Illustrates the variability within early Homo (potentially demonstrating sexual dimorphism or representing a separate species).
Features:
Homotraits:
Larger brain capacity (~510 cm³) compared to australopithecines.
Less massive jaw and teeth, with a more progressive facial shape.
Archaic traits:
The braincase is still relatively small.
Pronounced supraorbital torus (brow ridge), though less robust than in australopithecines.
Debated characteristics:
Significantly smaller and more gracile than its contemporary, KNM-ER 1470 (H. rudolfensis), which is the basis for classification debates (female H. rudolfensis or a separate H. habilis species).
Applications:
Study of the morphology and taxonomy of early Homo.
Comparative analysis with australopithecines and later Homo species.
Educational tool for anthropology and human evolution courses.
