Chimpanzee, half scale skull Pan troglodytes
The chimpanzee fossil record is poor, but DNA evidence suggests that humans and chimpanzees shared a common ancestor around 6 million years ago (mya).
Though this split was long ago, chimpanzees (Pan troglydites) are thought to be our closest living relatives.
When compared to modern humans, the skull of the chimpanzee has massive jaws with large canine teeth, a protrusive face that extends well in front of the eyes, thinly enameled molars and a U-shaped dental arch (an identifying trait of the great apes).
The brain is small compared to humans, but is relatively large when compared to other apes and monkeys.
Muscle attachments for neck and jaw muscles are very well developed, adding to the chimpanzee?Ã s great strength.
The position of the foramen magnum (the hole through which the spinal cord passes) places the skull in front of the spine rather than balanced on top of the spinal column as seen in humans.
This fits the typical stance of a chimp, and demonstrates how we can tell about the stance of an animal from its skull
Model size: 9.5(L) x 7(W) x 7(H) cm
The Bone Clones Half-Scale Series
Sculpted by anatomical sculptor Dr. Steve Wagner, and licensed exclusively to Bone Clones, these detailed miniature skulls accurately represent the osteological anatomy of 7 primate skulls: Human, Gorilla, Chimpanzee and 4 early hominids. Made of our custom formulated, durable, resin and expertly finished, these extraordinary miniature skulls feature all the detail of the originals. Easily handled, and a convenient size for comparative study, the Bone Clones Half Scale Series skulls display beautifully and are a great teaching aid.
(Information courtesy Bone Clones, Inc)
Notes:
- Half scale in three dimensions equates to one eighth scale in volume so models may appear smaller than expected
- This model is also part of the set of seven half-scale skulls
- See also BC003, Adult Male Chimpanzee Skull (full size)
