Paleoartist John Gurche's sculptures of early human likenesses are on view at the Smithsonian's Hall of Human Origins.
John Gurche's "Shaping Humanity"
![Homo heidelbergensis depicted at a camp fire around 200,000 years ago. (John Gurche, “Shaping Humanity”)](https://gdb.voanews.com/0BF6550E-24A4-4D46-9A96-92E06687AAB1_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Homo heidelbergensis depicted at a camp fire around 200,000 years ago. (John Gurche, “Shaping Humanity”)
![A series of drawings begins the work on Neanderthals in the exhibit. (John Gurche, “Shaping Humanity”)](https://gdb.voanews.com/EA983A15-15FE-4995-ACBA-971E91804541_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A series of drawings begins the work on Neanderthals in the exhibit. (John Gurche, “Shaping Humanity”)
![John Gurche creates an intimate moment between a Neanderthal mother and her child that might have taken place 70,000 years ago. (John Gurche, “Shaping Humanity”)](https://gdb.voanews.com/3183244D-7BAA-4E88-80B6-8616C631CEC2_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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John Gurche creates an intimate moment between a Neanderthal mother and her child that might have taken place 70,000 years ago. (John Gurche, “Shaping Humanity”)
![A scene of motherly love among Neanderthals is an unexpected surprise for tourists. (John Gurche, “Shaping Humanity”)](https://gdb.voanews.com/2051C030-21C9-4D1F-91A7-E0A41FD3A5A2_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A scene of motherly love among Neanderthals is an unexpected surprise for tourists. (John Gurche, “Shaping Humanity”)