Homo neanderthalensis Skull Replica (Le Moustier 1)

Homo neanderthalensis Skull Replica (Le Moustier 1)

Description – Material and Method:
3D printed from high-strength plastic using digital scan data of the original "Le Moustier 1" skull. Hand-colored to imitate the color and texture of the fossil specimen, including traces of damage and restorations.

Size:
Full-scale, true-to-life replica:
240 mm (length) × 150 mm (width) × 165 mm (height)

Jaw:
Lower jaw – fixed (integrated into the model)

Anthropological Significance:

· Dating: approximately 45,000 years ago.
· Site of discovery: Rock shelter of Le Moustier (Peyzac-le-Moustier), Dordogne, France.
· Discoverers: Excavations began in 1863 (Henry Christy, Édouard Lartet); the skeleton was found in 1908.
· Importance: The type-site for the Mousterian archaeological culture. The skull belongs to an adolescent (juvenile individual).

Skull Features:

· Large nasal cavity.
· Brow ridge and occipital bun are less pronounced than in adult Neanderthals, which is typical for a juvenile individual.