Skulls

We use 3D prints of these fossil skulls at schools, which is awesome because they provide an experience well beyond that of photos and diagrams. Students can feel, measure, compare. It’s one of those things that helps makes history real and interesting.

Availability

Homo ErgasterThe 3D prints are used in our history/archaeology workshops, run or coordinated by Claire (our resident archaeologist).

We can also make individual or a set of skulls available to your educational organisation, on loan – subject to availability. As (some of) the model sources are licensed for non-commercial use only, we are unable to offer printed models for purchase. When engaging in bigger or longer term projects at schools, we can sometimes assemble a set to keep – the models each take quite a while to print, so it’s always subject to availability.

If you have 3D printing facilities available, you can of course print your own! And if you are able to help us print more copies of the various models, please do contact us!

Adaptation

The models we print are adjusted to the same scale (relative to each other), our target is approx half-size in dimensions (e.g., 1/8th volume) as that makes them more manageable in terms of handling, transport as well as printing (time and required 3D printer size).

We tend to also rotate them to be approximately upright , as that gives them a more uniform look and feel.

In some cases the models require some other adjustments to actually make them printable. Different 3D printers may require other fixes.

Files

For the original models, please see the sources referenced below.

Sources

Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences

RBINS website

  • Sahelanthropus tchadensis
  • Australopithecus africanus
  • Paranthropus boisei

Kenya National Museum

African Fossils website, models are CC-NC-BY-SA licensed.

  • KNMWT 17000 Paranthropus aethiopicus 2.52 million yrs
  • KNMER 1470 Homo rudolfensis (probably habilis) 1.9 million yrs
  • KNMER 1813 Homo habilis 1.9 million yrs
  • KNMER 3733 Homo erectus (ergaster) 1.75 million yrs
  • KNMER 406 Paranthropus boisei 1.7 million yrs