Homo antecessor Skull BH-031
$220.00

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800,000 YA. The Homo antecessor skull was discovered in 1995 by J. M. Bermudez de Castro at the Gran Dolina site in Atapuerca, Spain, and described in Science in 1997. Before the discovery of Homo antecessor, there was no evidence that would substantiate the presence of hominids in Europe before a half million years ago. Fossils and stone tools, at least 780,000 years old were found at the Gran Dolina site in Atapuerca. Homo antecessor (Latin: human forbear) possessed characteristics of both Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. With the bulky brow and big jaw of the now extinct Neanderthal and the cheekbones and nose of Homo sapiens, the researchers believe they have discovered a missing link that may cause a major reconsideration of human ancestry. Notably, its brow ridges are double-arched (as is the case with Neanderthals), and its molars triple-rooted, a trait most closely recognized in Homo ergaster. As expected of a Homo specimen from this time period, it has a brain size of over 1,000 cc. The more modern midfacial characteristics of Homo antecessor have previously only been seen in hominids more than half a million years younger. In other respects it more closely resembles Homo ergaster, an early form of Homo erectus from Africa. Custom Display Stand available below.

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Homo antecessor Skull Stand, S-BH-031 $35.00 Order This / View Your Cart Shown here is a typical stand having a metal base and rod with a resin cradle, coated with thin rubber to prevent scratching and damage to paint on skull. Please note that the cradle is custom made for each different specimen. Color and shape may vary from the sample shown.