Mystery of the Skulls

EVOLUTION (Grades 9-12)

In this laboratory activity, students will examine nine hominin skulls for specialized features and take measurements that will enable them to determine the relatedness of these species. They will identify the placement of each specimen on a phylogenetic tree that also reveals the geological time frame in which each species lived. Based on the data they generate, and using methods similar to those used by paleoanthropologists, students will be able to arrive at the same conclusions about hominin evolution as the ones currently accepted by the scientific community.

Note: Two versions of this activity are available: a lower level (grades 7-12) Regents version and an advanced/AP version with files labeled as such.

KIT DETAILS

This set of nine skulls includes fossil re-creations of nearly every historical link from the hominin evolutionary tree.

This kit contains:

• Australopithecus afarensis “Lucy” skull with jaw and tag
• Australopithecus africanus skull with tag
• Paranthropus boisei skull with tag
• Homo erectus skull with jaw and tag
• Homo ergaster skull with jaw and tag
• Homo habilis skull with tag
• Homo neanderthalensis skull with jaw and tag
• Kenyanthropus platyops skull with tag
• Homo sapiens skull with jaw and tag
• 9 yellow rulers
• 1 laminated geological time scale guide
• 3 laminated skull assessment guides (2 pgs each)
• 2 lab manuals, printed copies (1 AP, 1 Regents)
• Lab CD

DOWNLOADS

Regents Hominin Skulls Lab – Student Edition

Regents Hominin Skulls Lab – Teacher Edition

AP Hominin Skulls Lab – Student Edition

AP Hominin Skulls Lab – Teacher Edition

Skull Assessment Guide, Laminate

Skull Index Cards

Hominin Skulls Setup Answers PowerPoint

AP Skull Measurement Guide, Laminate

Geological Time Scale, Laminate

HOW TO RESERVE

To request this kit, please complete our reservation form. This form includes details on equipment shipping, reservation logistics, and required training.