The Black Skull (Australopithecus aethiopicus) Mask
Hat tip for Afarensis for finding the following paleoanthropology gem on the internet. In my opinion it is quite hard to find quality photos of fossil hominid skulls and this one can double as a mask to boot!
This fossil skull is commonly known as the Black Skull and identified as the species Australopithecus aethiopicus. From Footsteps Throughout Time,
Discovered near Lake Turkana, Africa, in 1985 by Richard Leakey, and reconstructed by Alan Walker, the Black Skull (KNM-WT 17000) is the most diagnostic specimen of Australopithecus aethiopicus ever found. It is referred to as the Black Skull because the manganese in the soil turned the bones black during mineralization. It has been dated to 2.5 million years ago.
The Black Skull is really fascinating because it shares early Australopithecus afarensis traits with later Australopithecus robustus traits, making it an unusual and important find. Because of its distinct morphology, the Black Skull is considered to be the earliest robust species to date. Like other australopithecines, A. aethiopicus may have had hominid characteristics such as the ability to walk bipedally.
And now the Black Skull!
