Professor Rodwell

FIQWS 10113

October 4, 2021

Why Should You Buy a Kabwe 1 Skull Replica?

On May 28, 2020 I received my order of a 3D model of a hominid cranium belonging to a Homo heidelbergensis, this model is known as Kawbe 1.  It was exactly what I had expected, a detailed copy of the original skull. My model was created from liquid plastic using a 3D printer. There are a few online stores where someone can purchase a replica of a Kabwe 1. I purchased my model from artskulls-london on ebay for $252. These models give anthropologists the opportunity to study the inaccessible originals. 

Product Description:

My replica (Top) and the skull of Kabwe 1 (Bottom) are nearly identical to each other. The original fossil shows that during Kabwe 1’s life, they had developed tooth cavities. This dental problem leads scientists to believe that Kabwe might have developed a dental disease during their life which resulted in their death. My model details how the cavitives located on Kabwe’s upper jaw impacted his teeth.  The original Kabwe fossil draws a similarity in the texture on the my replica thick brow ridge, Kabwe’s large nostrils, and shows how robust this individual was in life. The only difference my model has to the original is that Kabwe’s right side of his brain case was found to be missing, while my model has that filled in. This model really captures the details presented in the original skull.

Drawbacks of Product: 

Price and fragility are drawbacks of the model. Typically a hominid skull can cost well over $150. I obtained my model for $252. Buying a hominid skull can be costly, so sometimes it is viewed as being impractical. Also these models can be fragile and should be kept in a safe area as they can be prone to chipping. In my case, my model had been dropped which resulted in one of its teeth breaking off. While the model I bought was designed to give Kabwe a near complete look, I personally would have preferred that the holes the original skull has weren’t filled in. I felt that having a model nearly identical to the original might help me see into its braincase and see if the casing of the brain might have suffered any internal trauma. I felt that the drawbacks were not significant enough to pass on this product. 

Why Did I buy This?:

In anthropology, once a field researcher discovers the remains of a hominid, those findings must stay in its country of origin. These fossilized individuals are seen as part of a country’s history. As a result many scientists are unable to have access to the original specimen fossils.  I had developed an interest in studying Middle Pleistocene hominids. Without access to the American Museum of Natural History, I was unable to learn about certain species of hominids. In order to tackle this issue, I purchased the 3D model of Kabwe 1 that was constructed for both amateur and professional use.

Evaluation:

The Homo heidelbergensis model skull of Kabwe 1 is overall a useful product for those that are interested in the field of paleoanthropology. Kabwe 1 replica is such a detailed model that it really feels like the original fossil is present. Whether someone is an aspiring scientist or simply a collector, owning a model of Kabwe is a must.