Homo Naledi 'Neo' skull replica LES1

$
100.00
Homo naledi "Neo" Skull Replica – Professional EditionProduct Description & Manufacturing Technology
Anatomically precise 3D replica of the groundbreaking Homo naledi "Neo" skull, fabricated from museum-grade PLA plastic using high-resolution scans of the original fossil from the Rising Star Cave system (South Africa). Hand-finished with mineral-based pigments to replicate the authentic fossil’s patina and surface texture.
Technical Specifications
  • Scale: 1:1 life-sized reproduction
Dimensions: 210 mm (L) × 125 mm (W) × 130 mm (H) /
  • 8.27" (L) × 4.92" (W) × 5.12" (H)
  • Weight: ~450 g (varies by material density)
Key Features
  • Monolithic design (non-detachable mandible for structural integrity)
  • Scientific accuracy: Includes even taphonomic marks and sutural details from the original specimen
  • Educational focus: Highlights the species’ paradoxical blend of primitive (small cranial capacity) and derived traits (modern dentition)
Anthropological Significance
  • Discovery Context: Excavated 2013–2014 in the Dinaledi Chamber, Rising Star Cave
  • Dating Range: 236–335 kya (U-series and ESR methods)
  • Brain Capacity: 460–610 cm³ (comparable to Australopithecus)
  • Taxonomic Debate: Potential case of insular dwarfism or late-surviving archaic lineage
Morphological Highlights
  • Gracile neurocranium with reduced supraorbital tori
  • Dental arcade: Modern morphology despite small brain size
  • Occipital profile: Sloping with moderate nuchal cresting
Applications
Academic Use:
  • Comparative hominin anatomy courses
  • Evolutionary biology demonstrations
Research:
  • Morphometric analysis (compatible with caliper measurements)
Museum Display:
  • Public education about human origins
Collector’s Item:
  • Limited-edition scientific replica
Design Element:
  • Striking conversation piece for offices/labs
Why Choose This Replica?
  • Peer-reviewed accuracy: Based on published scans from the original discovery team
  • Durability: Impact-resistant material suitable for handling
  • Ethical sourcing: No castings from original fossils
Made on
Tilda