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For the Spring 2006 issue of Prehistoric Times, Mark conferred extensively with Dr. Steven Wroe, a paleontologist and biomechanics expert (University of Western Australia) and Dr. John Long (Victoria University) to create a cover that portrayed the strange marsupial predator Thylacosmilus carnifex, whose awesome bite was among the most powerful of any mammal.
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Neanderthal: A sculpted interpretation of a “Classic” Neanderthal Hunter
Over the last few years, new findings and research have led to a reevaluation of the cultural capabilities of our now extinct closest relative, Homo neanderthalensis. Mark Hallett has recently undertaken a fresh interpretation of a male “Classic” Neanderthaler in consultation with Dr. Ian Tattersall of the Paleontology Dept. of the American Museum of Natural History, New York. The finished 1:7 scale sculpture, which is based on the Kebara 2, La-Chapelle-aux-Saints, La Ferassie 1 and Neanderthal 1 specimens, also includes new concepts of clothing and weapons the artist incorporated into the finished model. The finished sculpture, titled “The Mammoth Hunter”, will be produced as an initial limited bronze edition of 50 pieces, retailing at US$975. 10% of all sales will be donated to the UNESCO World Heritage Fund to aid in the protection of archeological sites. |
Resin cast of La-Chapelle-aux-Saints skull |
Artist Mark Hallett with in-progress sculpture |
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Anatomical restoration of skull, musculature and skin |
Anatomical restoration of skull, musculature and skin |
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Restoration concept of Shanidar 1 male.
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Concept sketches to establish pose
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Completed armature. References included a scale model of a Neanderthal skeleton, a full-sized skull cast, comparisons to modern human anatomy and studies of Inuit body proportions.
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Closeup of head, left hand and dagger.
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Completed sculpture, using “Sculpey” clay over metal and wood armature.
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“The Mammoth Hunter”, finished sculpture prototype with bronze patina on walnut base.
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Dr. Ian Tattersall, American Museum of
Natural History paleoanthropologist and Neanderthal expert.
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Choose Your Weapon! Sabertoothed carnivores and others from the Age of Mammals
Beginning in 2008 Mark has been at work researching and producing new art of sabertoothed cats and their relatives, among the Ice Age’s most fascinating mammals, for a major scientific book. In addition, he has with Dr. Per Christiansen of Denmark University undertaken to probe the origins of the modern tiger from its little known possible ancestors in northern China. He continues to illustrate prehistoric subjects for National Geographic, books, museums and scientific film projects.
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Restoration of Pogonodon davisii, a nimravid sabertooth.
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Restoration of newly described Russian Scimitar Cat, Homotherium crenatidens.
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Homotherine and smilodontine sabertooths in their environments.
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Stages in the sculpture of “The Last of Her Kind”, the last surviving Ice Age sabertooth.
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Mark studying skull of possible ancestral tiger.
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Possible ancestral tiger, Panthera paleosinensis, in north Chinese Amur River region, with Woolly Mammoths, during the middle Pleistocene (Ice Age).
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Sculpting the head of Archaeotherium,
a pig-like beast from the early Age of Mammals.
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Baby Camarasaurus: Stages in restoring the head of a juvenile sauropod from the
Dinosaur National Monument for the North Carolina Museum of Natural History.
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Ancient Horses, Burrowing Dinos and a Paleobunny: Recent illustrations for
National Geographic and other publications.
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