STS 71

This article is about the hominid fossil STS 71. For the Space Shuttle mission, see STS-71.
"STS 36" redirects here. For the space shuttle mission, see STS-36.
STS 71
Catalog no.STS 71
SpeciesAustralopithecus africanus
Age2.5 mya
Place discoveredSterkfontein, South Africa
Date discovered1947
Discovered byRobert Broom

STS 71 is a fossilized skull of the species Australopithecus africanus. It was discovered in Sterkfontein, South Africa by Robert Broom in 1947. In 1972 John Wallace connected STS 71 with STS 36, a lower jaw found in the same layer, by matching the wear patterns on the teeth.

It is estimated to be 2.5 million years old.

Its characteristics include a smaller cranium and facial features than other female Australopithecines finds yet the size of the teeth indicate this specimen to be male. The face shows forward projection and the position of the temporal lines high on the cranium indicate large chewing muscles. The brain is 428cc.