Ok y’all, no need to make a sophomoric joke about this specimen’s name (unless you’re in middle school or high school—in that case, it’s totally fine), because there’s actually a good reason for it.

Homo erectus is an extinct species of early human that lived from about 1.9 million to 110,000 years ago. They’re considered one of the first human ancestors to have body proportions similar to modern humans, including walking fully upright. That’s where the name erectus, which means “upright,” comes from. See? We told you there was a reason.

Not only were they among the first upright walkers in our lineage, but they were also the first to use fire and advanced tools. Plus, they were the first to leave Africa, spreading into Asia and Europe.

As you might have guessed, they’re a crucial link in the timeless question of “Who are we, and where did we come from?” While we’re still figuring that out, Homo erectus has played a big role in filling in some of the blanks.

Only around 100 to 150 complete and partial skulls have been discovered so far, so getting your hands on one for your collection is nearly impossible unless you have an unlimited flow of money. This replica is made from casts, photographs, published diagrams, and detailed descriptions of these incredibly important and rare skulls.

If you already have a human skull in your collection, this is the perfect piece to display alongside it.