Sterkfontein, Africa, South Africa, Gauteng Province
Description:
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:
Light brown plastic cast cranium of STS 5, also known as "Mrs. Ples," is from the species Australopithecus africanus. Australopithecus africanus was anatomically similar to Australopithecus afarensis, with a combination of human-like and ape-like features. Compared to Australopithecus afarensis, Australopithecus africanus had a rounder cranium housing a larger brain and smaller teeth, but it also had some ape-like features including a strongly sloping face that juts out from underneath the braincase with a pronounced jaw. The cranium is mostly complete, however, missing pieces are indicated in light yellow. STS 5 is between 2.5 and 2.1 million years old.
