Artist John Gurche used the latest forensic techniques, fossil discoveries, and 20 years of experience to create the lifelike head reconstructions of early humans on display in the Hall of Human Origins, as well as the full-body reconstruction of the fossil nicknamed "Lucy" (AL 288-1). The painstaking process required a detailed knowledge of human and ape anatomy. It took Gurche 2½ years to complete these busts. Gurche also created the five bronze statues of different early human species on display in the Hall of Human Origins.

Check out this Science Friday story for more information about John and his work on these reconstructions.