This object is part of the Education and Outreach collection, some of which are in the Q?rius science education center and available to see.
Geologic Age:
Pliocene
Notes:
Brown plastic cast cranium of Olduvai Hominid 5 (OH 5), also known as "Nutcracker Man," from the species Paranthropus boisei. OH 5 is easily the most famous of the early human fossils found at Olduvai Gorge. It is a nearly complete cranium of an adult male Paranthropus boisei. Originally named Zinjanthropus boisei, its classification was changed to Australopithecus boisei and later Paranthropus boisei, placing it in the same genus as the southern African "robust" species. The fossil is still referred to today as "Zinj", in reference to its original name. Notice the wide zygomatic arches which project forward of the nasal opening and form the dished-shape face typical of Paranthropus boisei. The outward flaring of these bony arches from the side of the head provided space for large temporalis muscles. These were the huge chewing muscles that passed from the lower jaw to the large sagittal crest atop the skull. In some cases, the megadont cheek teeth of Paranthropus boisei were four times the size of our own. The cranium is mostly complete, however, missing pieces are indicated in light yellow. OH 5 is about 1.8 million years old.
