Nandy the Neanderthal

thingiverse

This is my first creation, Nandy the Neanderthal, based on the Chapelle-aux-Saints 1 skull and this more detailed side view. Note that he is based on two different skulls, but still very much a Neanderthal. Edit: I finally printed Nandy, and he looks fantastic! I'm thrilled with how well he came out. I made Nandy in Sculptris. Since this is my very first creation, I am still learning all the ins and outs of this technology. There's a little bit on the inside of the skull that I had trouble smoothing, but that probably won't be an issue now. I have also tried to hollow him out to prevent wasted material--please let me know if you find he is too hollow or not hollow enough. I don't actually have a 3D printer yet (I will be receiving one soon as a long-awaited gift,) but I hope he works and prints well. Neanderthals evolved around 600,000-800,000 years ago and spread into the Middle East, Europe, and central Asia. They made stone tools, controlled fire, and hunted. They survived in a cold and difficult climate, but likely could make no more than the simplest of clothes. As a result, they may have been, unlike modern humans, hairy. Their skulls were, on average, larger than ours, with wide noses, round eyes, and an elongated braincase. Their facial features were robust--that is, strong, thick, and heavy. The Chappel-aux-Saints 1 Neanderthal lived to about 40 years old. He had lost most of his teeth years before his death, (I gave Nandy some teeth, though,) suffered arthritis, and must have been cared for in his old age by the rest of his tribe. At his death he was most likely buried in a pit dug by his family, which preserved his skeleton in nearly complete condition for 60,000 years. Anatomically modern humans, Homo sapiens, encountered and interbred with Neanderthals around 40,000 years ago. (Neanderthals are also humans--Homo neanderthalensis.) Today, about 1-5% of the DNA in non-Sub-Saharan Africans hails originally from a Neanderthal ancestor. (Melanesians also have DNA from a cousin of the Neanderthals, the Denisovans, and Sub-Saharan Africans may have their own archaic ancestors.) Unfortunately for Nandy and his relations, the Neanderthals also began to disappear around 40,000 years ago. Perhaps it was the weather, or Homo sapiens out competed them, or their enormous skulls just caused too much trouble in childbirth. Whatever happened, the Neanderthals remain a mystery, evidence of the past when we weren't the only human species in town. I hope you enjoy Nandy.