A. afarensis has a large
face relative to the rest of the
cranium. The forehead is very small. The zygomatic arches flair to the side
and produce the 
characteristically broad
face. A. afarensis has a small brain capacity estimated at 450 cc.
The face is well front on the head. Note the shape and size of the cranium
as well as the large canine. In hominid evolution, there is a general trend
for the face to become smaller as the brain size increases. There is a sagittal
ridge where strong chewing muscles are attached. There is marked prognathism
of the face. 
The cranium of A. afarensis attaches to the backbone in a relatively backward position when compared with humans. Large muscles attach to the back of the cranium in order to keep the head in an erect position.
