Replica of the Australopithecus africanus skull (Reconstruction of Stw 505) Description – Materials and creation process: 3D-printed from durable plastic (PETG/ABS) using a detailed digital scan of the original Stw 505 skull from Sterkfontein. The model replicates all anatomical features of the fossil, including characteristic damage. Hand-painted for accurate color and fossil texture representation. Dimensions: Full-scale, life-sized replica: 180 mm (length) × 127 mm (width) × 117 mm (height) / 7.09" (length) × 5.00" (width) × 4.61" (height) Jaw: Lower jaw – missing (matches the original specimen’s condition) Significance in anthropology: Dating: ~2.5–3.0 million years ago Discovered: Sterkfontein, South Africa (1994) Importance:
One of the most complete A. africanus skulls
Brain volume ~515 cm³ (larger than "Mrs. Ples")
Demonstrates sexual dimorphism (likely a male specimen)
Features: Anatomical traits:
Prominent brow ridges
Pronounced sagittal crest
Large teeth with thick enamel
Combination of ape-like (long arms) and human-like (bipedalism) characteristics
Debated aspects:
Possible classification as A. prometheus (alternative species designation)
Disputes over the degree of arboreal adaptation
Applications:
Study of early hominin evolution
Comparative analysis with other australopithecines (e.g., Sts 5 "Mrs. Ples")
