Homo sapiens sensu lato

The classification of early humans has been complicated at best, and the taxonomy of specimens has been termed the "Muddle in the Middle [Pleistocene]" by paleoanthropologists.

Advances in DNA sequencing have started to bring more clarity to the field, but many scientist show clear bias (whether for or against) when it comes to proposals to establish a new species, or to reclassify and retire old species names.

I am partial to the opinion that many of these hominin "species" should be more properly classified as sub-species, since it is clear that interbreeding occured between different populations of early humans that are otherwise characterized as different species.

The latest set from Linear-A consists of a group of early humans. I received the box a couple of weeks ago, and made an unboxing video over at 72chan.

The first image is of the Denisovans and a single Neanderthal.

The Denisovans are sculpted as shorter overall than the Neanderthal, but an epigenetic study by Gokhman et al., published in Cell seems to suggest they fall in between modern humans and Neanderthals in height.

The rear Denisovan hunter had a big blob of plastic filling the void between his right leg and the javelin(s) he holds, so a bit of cuttng and sculpting was needed to make him look closer to the production figure on the back of the box.

The second image is of the Neanderthals.

The first Neanderthal figure looks like it was modeled after "N" from das Neandertal Museum just outside of Düsseldorf, while the second figure might be loosely modeled after the figure of a Neanderthal woman from the Museo Arqueológico Nacional in Madrid. The final Neanderthal seems to be a mutant with an abnormally huge right hand that exhibits polydactyly.

The final image is of the Homo sapiens.

A comparison of Phersu, Linear-A, and munich-Kits figures reviewed in a previous post.

I will round out the post with some metal miniatures of more archaic hominins.

The first group are 15mm Monkey Boys from Rebel Minis (RMPA4).

The figures remind me of Cha-Ka and the Pakuni from Land of the Lost. The LOTL fandom wiki suggests that the Pakuni belong to the putative Paranthropus genus (which are considered a sub-species of Australopithecus by some).

The second group are 15mm Wildmen of the Savannah by Khurasan Miniatures (Mystri Island MYST-800). The figures seem to be modeled after the man-apes from 2001: A Space Odyssey which are probably members of the genus Australopithecus.

I modifed a few of the figures by removing their weapons for more general use.

Early modern humans

It is believed that Homo sapiens first appeared anywhere from 300,000 years to 800,000 years ago (depending upon whether morphological or cladistic definitions are used).

These early humans are often referred to as "cavemen", but I don't think much stock can be placed in any particular depiction of them because practically every theory is based entirely on speculation.

My main interest in caveman miniatures is based on needing miniatures for playing Tusk from Wessex Games. The game is normally played with 15mm figures, but not for me. In the absence of proper miniatures in 1/72 scale, proxies such as ancient Libiyans (Caesar), ancient Germans (ESCI), or Zulus (ESCI) can be used.

I have recently picked up a few different sets of 1/72 caveman miniatures, but I think that the majority of people will find that they are not really practical for gaming purposes. Despite that, the miniatures are very nice, and many are perfectly posed for use in a game of Tusk.

The first three sets are from Phersu Miniatures. These miniatures were sculpted by the late Leonardo Torricini, and are essentially out of production.

PCH1 Prehistoric Cavemen Hunters 1

I was only able to get an incomplete version of this set, but the figures include one metal casting, a beater with sticks to flush out game, a figure carrying his catch, a firestarter, figures armed with clubs and spears, and some figures laying in ambush.

Some clubs and metal pins are supplied as weapons, but I think the original sets had white metal parts for the spears.

PCH2 Prehistoric Cavemen Hunters 2

The set consists of various hunting poses, and include a couple of figures that represent members of Homo erectus.

Three metal pins are supplied as weapons, but I think the original sets had white metal parts for the spears.

PCCF Prehistoric Cavemen - Cave and Fire

The set consists of some standing figures, perhaps a couple of artists, and various figures sitting around the campfire.

The set includes a resin bonfire and animal pelt, and various white metal weapons.

PAV1 Prehistoric Animals

The set contains a large deer with white metal antlers, a baby mammoth, a wild boar, a small bear, four wolves, and a sabre-toothed tiger.

I bent the deer antlers a bit before attaching them so they would have a curved appearance when looked at from the front.

For those interested in these (and other) Phersu sets, contact Massimo Costa of 42nd Black Watch Miniatures. Massimo does not have a website yet, but he can be reached at the following address regarding availability:

daikaigan@hotmail.it

Not all of the sets are readily on hand, but it seems like Massimo plans to produce at least some of the sets under the 42nd Black Watch label in tribute to Leonardo.

I hope there are plans to bring the caveman figures back in metal since they would be more sturdy for gaming.

The next three sets are from munich-Kits from their Stone Age (Steinzeit) line.

The first set is titled the First Hunters (Die ersten Jäger FHH01), and includes two hunters and a bear.

The hands and spear of one hunter is cast as a separate part in white metal.

The second set is also titled the First Hunters (Die ersten Jäger FHH02), and includes two hunters and a firestarter.

The hands and spear of one hunter is cast as a separate part in white metal.

The final set is titled the Middle Stone Age (Die mittlere Steinzeit FHH03), and includes a family of three.

The spear carried by Dad is a separate resin part.

All of the munich-Kits figures are tall, and are perhaps based on estimates from specific finds of Cro-Magnon remains.

I can't wait until the Neanderthal vs. Denisovan vs. Homo sapiens set from Linear-A reaches North America so we can get some more cavemen in plastic.