To commemorate 100 years on the National Mall, the Museum of Natural History unveils its new David H. Koch (pronounced "coke") Hall of Human Origins. The south entrance leading to the exhibit space is a Time Tunnel lined with the faces of man's ancestors.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
The 15,000-square-foot exhibit space houses more than 285 early human fossils and artifacts. Also on display are facial reconstructions including that of the Homo floresiensis, shown here, sculpted by artist John Gurche (pictured in the background).
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
The $20.7 million exhibition hall charts 6 million years of human evolution. Here, one of the many life-sized bronze sculptures depicting Neanderthal life.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
Another bronze replica of a Neanderthal exhibits the tell-tale qualities of the species: A large brow ridge, low forehead and a protrusion at the middle portion of the face.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
The exhibit includes a reproduction of "Lucy," the most complete Australopithecus afarensis skeleton yet found. Unearthed in Ethiopia in 1974, the remains are thought to be 3.2 million years old, offering insight into the size and physical capabilities of early humans.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
A cave includes replicas of early human art, such as these hand prints.
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These Neanderthal skeletons demonstrate the changes in body shape and size over thousands of years.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
A pair of Neanderthal skeletons shows the similarities and differences between early humans and modern man. For one, Neanderthals of chilly European climates were shorter and broader, traits that scientists believe allowed the species to retain heat.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
A display of relatively recent human skulls allows for a side-by-side comparison of modern and ancient man.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
The exhibit hall includes more than 75 skulls, including two on loan from the Musee de l'Homme in France: The only Neanderthal skeleton in the United States and the original Cro-Magnon skull, discovered in 1868 in a French cave of the same name. The display shown here features an array of skulls culminating with a Homo sapiens.
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There are a number of interactive elements in the Hall of Human Origins. "For fun, check out the morphing station, where you can have a picture of your face taken, and then digitally transformed into an early-human version of yourself," writes Michael O'Sullivan.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
The David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins will be open to the public from noon to 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 18, and during regular museum hours beginning Friday, March 19.
Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post
Gallery Credits:
Photo Editor, Producer Troy Witcher
Text Editor Stephanie Merry
