1914 1987 Collection

Proconsul africanus
An illustration of the extinct primate, Proconsul africanus. Like Dendropithecus, they mostly lived in tropical forests in East Africa during the Miocene about 50 million years ago

Hominid reconstructions in chronological order
From left to right: Australopithecus, Early Homo erectus (Java Man), Late Homo erectus (Peking Man), Homo heidelbergensis (Rhodesian Man), Neanderthal man and Homo sapiens (Cro-Magnon)

Australopithecus afarensis
Illustration by Maurice Wilson of extinct African hominids (Australopithecus afarensis) living 3-4 million years ago. They walked upright, although they retained the ability to climb trees

Aegyptopithecus zeuxis
Illustration of an Egyptian Ape by Maurice Wilson. The forerunners of both monkeys and apes. These small arboreal primates lived 35-32 million years ago in the tropical rain forests of northern Egypt

Homo sapiens, Cro-Magnon man
A model head of Homo sapiens, Cro-Magnon man. Cro-Magnon man, an anatomically modern human lived around 30, 000 years ago in the Dordogne region of France. This model was created by Maurice Wilson

Homo neanderthalensis
A model head of Neanderthal man (Homo neanderthalensis) created by Maurice Wilson. Neanderthal man is believed to have lived between around 130, 000 and 35, 000 years ago

Homo sapiens, Cro-Magnon man head
A reconstruction of the head of Cro-Magnon man by Maurice Wilson, c. 1950. Cro-Magnon man is possibly Western Europes most famous anatomically modern human

Aepyornis maximus, elephant bird
Painting by Maurice Wilson from his drawings collection (1950)

Homo erectus, Java man
A model of Homo erectus, known as Java man, based on fossil evidence found in archaeological sites along the Solo River, Indonesia. The fossils date back to around 500, 000 to 800, 000 years ago

Homo erectus, Peking man
A model head of Homo erectus known as Peking man, based upon evidence discovered at Zhoukoudian Cave (Locality 1), China dating back 500, 000 years. This model was created by Maurice Wilson

Ichthyornis dispar, cretaceous bird
Painting by Maurice Wilson (c. 1950)

Hesperornis regalis, cretaceous bird
Painting by Maurice Wilson (c. 1950)

Paranthropus boisei (based on OH5)
Illustration by Maurice Wilson of a three-quarter view of Paranthropus boisei, a robust australopithecus which lived in Southern and Eastern Africa

Sivapithecus indicus
Illustration by Maurice Wilson of Sivapithecus indicus, thick coated enamelled apes from Turkey and Indo-Pakistan dating from 13 million years ago

Paranthropus boisei (OH5)

Paranthropus sp. (left) and Homo erectus (right)
Illustration by Maurice Wilson. 2 to 1.5 million years ago parts of Africa were populated by these two hominids. Paranthropus foraged peacefully but here is threatened by Homo erectus

Homo heildelbergensis, Broken Hill or Rhodesian Man
Illustration by Michael Wilson of a Rhodesian man (H. heildelbergensi) family reconstructed from fossils discovered at Broken Hill, Kabwe, Zambia

Piltdown Man (Model based on Piltdown 1 & 2)

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"1914-1987: Unveiling the Evolutionary Journey of Hominids" Step into a captivating timeline spanning from 1914 to 1987, as we explore the fascinating world of hominid reconstructions in chronological order. Our journey begins with Proconsul africanus, an ancient ancestor whose reconstructed features provide valuable insights into our evolutionary past. Moving forward, we encounter Australopithecus afarensis, a species that walked the Earth over three million years ago. As we delve deeper into history, Aegyptopithecus zeuxis emerges on our path—a primate believed to be closely related to both monkeys and apes. The Homo sapiens known as Cro-Magnon man follows suit, showcasing remarkable advancements in human evolution during prehistoric times. Next up is Homo neanderthalensis, a species that coexisted with early humans but eventually faced extinction. Witness their distinctive characteristics through detailed reconstructions. The spotlight then shifts back to Homo sapiens—specifically Cro-Magnon man—as we examine their head structure and ponder upon their remarkable cognitive abilities. But not all discoveries are what they seem; enter Piltdown Man—an infamous archaeological hoax involving models based on Piltdown 1 & 2 fragments. This deception reminds us of the importance of rigorous scientific examination and critical thinking in unraveling our past accurately. Returning to authentic findings, Australopithecus africanus takes center stage—an extinct hominin species that played a significant role in shaping human ancestry millions of years ago. Finally, meet Homo heidelbergensis—the Rhodesian or Broken Hill Man—who provides crucial evidence for understanding the transition between archaic humans and modern humans like us today. In this captivating journey through time, "1914-1987" unravels the intricate tapestry of human evolution—showcasing how each discovery contributes to our ever-expanding knowledge about our ancient origins.