Chimpanzee Skull (Modern Osteological Specimen or Replica)
Pan troglodytes (Chimpanzee) or replica thereof • Modern Osteological Specimen / Skeletal Remains (Vertebrate, Mammal, Primate). Note: This is a contemporary bone specimen or cast replica, not a true geological fossil.
Geological Period
Holocene / Recent
Estimated Age
0 to 100 years old (Modern)
Preservation Type
Modern osteological bone / bleached bone or synthetic cast (resin/plaster). Not fossilized (no permineralization or petrifaction).
Condition Assessment
Good (Incomplete). Cranium is intact showing sutures and facial structure, but lacks the mandible (lower jaw), teeth, and zygomatic arches appear partially damaged or absent.
Taxonomic Classification
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Mammalia, Order: Primates, Family: Hominidae, Genus: Pan, Species: Pan troglodytes
Morphological Description
Features a prominent continuous supraorbital torus (brow ridge), large forward-facing sub-circular orbits with distinct superior orbital notches, narrow nasal aperture, sagittal crest region, cranial sutures visible across the neurocranium, and a prognathic facial structure missing the lower jaw (mandible) and maxilla/teeth.
Rock Matrix
None (free specimen without matrix)
Formation & Location
Modern origin (Native to Sub-Saharan Africa; osteological preparation or commercial manufacture)
Size & Dimensions
Approximately 18-22 cm in length, 12-15 cm in width, consistent with a adult/subadult Pan troglodytes cranium.
Value & Rarity
Estimated Market Value
$100 - $350 (if a high-quality resin/plastic replica) or $800 - $1,500+ (if legal modern genuine bone with CITES documentation)
Auction Estimate
$150 - $400 (Replica) / $1,000 - $2,000 (Genuine anatomical specimen with legal provenance)
Rarity Assessment
Common as an educational replica/cast; Rare and strictly regulated if genuine bone due to CITES listing and wildlife protection laws.
Scientific Significance
Serves as an important comparative anatomy specimen for studying hominid evolution, primatology, and cranial skeletal features contrasting modern apes with extinct hominins.
Preparation Recommendations
Keep in a temperature-controlled environment away from direct UV light and humidity. Dust gently with a soft micro-fiber brush. Avoid chemical solvents.
Notable Features
Pronounced supraorbital brow ridge, visible cranial sutures (coronal, sagittal), prominent nasal bridge structure, and complete absence of the dental row and mandible.