Australopithecus afarensis, half scale skull
Australopithecus afarensis first appeared approximately 4 million years ago in the area that is now East Africa, and disappeared around 3 million years ago.
They stood upright, but did not walk with quite the same gait as modern humans.
Their brain was slightly larger than that of the chimpanzee.
A. afarensis had an apelike face with a low forehead, brow ridge, a flat nose and no chin (the chin is only developed in modern humans).
The incisor teeth were rather apelike, but the canines were smaller than most apes. Fossil teeth suggest that the A. afarensis diet included fibrous fruits, plants and seeds.
Some scientists believe that A. afarensis or a close relative may have been the direct ancestor to our human line (genus Homo).
Over 200 specimens of A. afarensis have been recovered from Hadar, Ethiopia, alone making it perhaps the best understood early hominid.
Model size: 8.9(L) x 7(W) x 7.6(H) cm
Notes:
- Half scale in three dimensions equates to one eighth scale in volume so models may appear smaller than expected
- This model may also be purchased as part of a set of seven half-scale skulls
- Full scale models of A. afarensis are also available: BH-001, BH-021A and BH-021T
