Buzz
It's all too simple to peer into the vacant eye sockets of a skull and overlook the fact that what you're seeing once belonged to a person with a rich inner world, much like your own. Today, however, in museums, churches, and even unexpected spots, many of these skulls are being unearthed and brought to life by researchers.
Through the process of reconstructing faces of those from the past, we are able to resurrect their appearance, even if only in our perception. Here are ten of the most stunning reconstructions, each offering a captivating window into history.
10. Seianti Hanunia Tlesnasa
The Etruscans dominated Italy for centuries before they were overtaken by the Romans. Today, very little of their civilization remains, as the Romans effectively absorbed them. However, some of the most remarkable finds made by archaeologists are within the tombs the Etruscans left behind. Their sarcophagi depict the deceased as they appeared in life, often shown reclining on a bed with a pillow placed under one arm for added comfort.
In the British Museum, you can view the sarcophagus of Seianti Hanunia Tlesnasa. Her likeness shows a healthy, plump woman in her prime. By examining the preserved remains within the coffin, experts were able to compare the lifelike image with reality. They discovered that Seianti Hanunia Tlesnasa was around 50 years old when she passed. Through modeling how her skin would have adhered to her skull, they concluded that the figure on the sarcophagus was a remarkably accurate, albeit flattering, representation of the deceased.
9. Cheddar Man
Cheddar Man is the oldest nearly complete Homo sapiens skeleton ever discovered in Britain. Dating back around 10,000 years, he has long captivated historians. Questions surrounding his origins and lifestyle have intrigued researchers for years. It was found that he suffered from a bone infection and likely met a violent death, but much about his life remained a mystery.
In 2018, DNA analysis of Cheddar Man's remains enabled the first accurate reconstruction of his appearance. It was revealed that he had blue eyes, dark curly hair, and dark skin. The fair skin often associated with British people today appears to be a much more recent development than previously thought. Research suggests Cheddar Man was part of the Western European Hunter-Gatherers, contributing roughly ten percent of the genetic makeup of modern Britons.
8. Richard III
Kings don't typically have to search for parking spots, but Richard III of England spent centuries beneath one. In 2012, more than 500 years after his death in battle, archaeologists unearthed the king's remains. They had strong reasons to believe he was buried there, as the site had long been identified as the location of the church where he was thought to have been interred. The bones, showing the fatal wounds and scoliosis that twisted his spine, led them to suspect they had found the king. DNA analysis of surviving relatives confirmed the discovery.
Using the recovered skull, scientists were able to create the first accurate portrait of the misunderstood Richard. Portraits from his reign had been altered, and those created afterward portrayed the king as a cruel and disfigured figure. We now know Richard simply had a slightly prominent nose and chin.
7. Griffin Warrior
The Griffin Warrior Tomb is an archaeological site located at Pylos in Greece, discovered in 2015. Dating back to around 1450 BC, the tomb contained not only a skeleton but also numerous valuable artifacts. One of the standout pieces is a small engraved gem depicting two men in combat, considered one of the finest examples of ancient Greek art. The tomb’s occupant, known as the Griffin Warrior, was named after an ivory plaque featuring a griffin.
The excavation revealed that the deceased was a man in his thirties, likely wealthy and of high status. The impressive array of goods found in the tomb attests to his wealth, while his height and strength suggest a well-nourished life. Combs discovered within the grave point to the fact that he wore his hair long. By analyzing the skull and the engraved stone, a facial reconstruction was created, capturing both his facial features and the way he wore his hair and facial hair.
6. Dante
It may not be surprising that Dante, the poet of the Christian afterlife, had a tumultuous posthumous journey. Once a celebrated poet, he was exiled from his beloved Florence. Upon his death, he was buried in Ravenna. Florence, recognizing their mistake in casting out one of their greatest minds, sought to reclaim his remains, but the monks guarding his grave concealed his bones. Since then, Florence has had to endure without his body.
A man as renowned as Dante naturally had many portraits made of him, though most of them are rather unflattering. His cheeks droop, and his nose juts toward his chin. In 2007, researchers took measurements of Dante's skull to determine whether this was an accurate representation. The reconstruction revealed that Dante was no less attractive than many others, and the exaggerated features in most paintings were the result of poetic license rather than a true reflection of the poet himself.
5. Henri IV of France
Henri IV of France was adored during his lifetime, well, as much as a king who was eventually assassinated could be. He was known for his religious tolerance and love for a good time. His reputation as a philanderer only endeared him further to his people. Even the fact that his feet and armpits reeked of garlic didn't seem to harm his popularity. However, long after his death, during the French Revolution, his body was exhumed and desecrated. Somehow, his head was severed and ended up in the attic of a tax collector.
The facial reconstruction of the skull unveiled a face strikingly similar to those depicted in official portraits. However, not all of Henri's descendants believe the skull truly belongs to him, and for now, it remains stored in a bank vault in Paris.
4. Simon of Sudbury
It's not just kings who lose their heads. Simon of Sudbury had the misfortune of being alive when his was severed—struck eight times by an axe. Simon, the Archbishop of Canterbury, made the ill-fated decision to serve as lord chancellor of England in 1380, a time when the nation was both at war and financially ruined. To fund the war with France, a massive sum of £160,000 was required, but with the young King Richard II's jewels pawned, it was decided to impose a poll tax. This proved to be a disastrous move, sparking the Peasants’ Revolt, which ultimately led to Simon's beheading.
Simon’s head was impaled on a pike and paraded around the city before being retrieved. Today, it is kept in a church, but it has also been used to recreate the unfortunate archbishop's likeness. Looking somewhat like Shrek, Simon would have been a striking figure in life. Evading his enemies would likely have been quite difficult.
3. Tutankhamun
Tutankhamun possesses one of the most iconic faces in history. The golden mask adorning his sarcophagus is universally recognized and has been ingrained in our culture since its discovery. However, despite the grandeur of his tomb, Tutankhamun was actually a rather insignificant pharaoh. The mask presents him as the epitome of a perfect young king, but the reality behind his life was far more unsettling.
Medical examinations of the pharaoh's body have revealed that he suffered from a club foot, malaria, and the consequences of his parents’ incestuous marriage. It is believed that Tutankhamun needed a cane to walk, with several canes being discovered in his tomb.
In stark contrast to the gilded youth portrayed in his sculptures and mask, Tutankhamun likely looked rather awkward in life. He had a noticeable overbite and a slightly misshapen skull. Perhaps the mask was crafted to reflect the image he wished to project for all eternity.
2. Saint Nicholas
Santa Claus is rooted in a real historical figure. Saint Nicholas was a fourth-century bishop who resided in what is now Turkey. He earned his legacy as a gift-giver due to his tradition of secretly providing presents to those in need. In one famous incident, he is said to have tossed small bags of gold through a window, saving three young girls from being forced into prostitution. According to legend, the gold landed in stockings and shoes left by a fireplace. While many children long to catch a glimpse of Saint Nicholas on Christmas Eve, those who wish to see his actual face would need to journey to Bari, Italy, where his remains are kept.
In 2014, these remains were analyzed to reconstruct the face of the saint. It was found that Saint Nicholas had once suffered a severely broken nose—so badly that it fractured the bones between his eyes. The injury never healed properly, resulting in a noticeable twist to his nose. This may have been caused by torture he endured during a period of Christian persecution.
1. The Lady Of Cao
In 2006, a mummy was discovered in Peru. Despite having been preserved for over 1,500 years, the Lady of Cao was not intentionally mummified; rather, the natural environment worked in her favor, drying her body before it could decay. The remarkable preservation allowed for intricate details like her tattoos of snakes, spiders, and crabs to remain visible. The high-status items found alongside her, as well as her burial site, challenged previous assumptions about Moche society, suggesting that women could hold positions of power.
Using laser scanning technology on the skull and face, researchers reconstructed her appearance at the time of her death. The Lady of Cao, who was in her twenties, likely passed away shortly after giving birth. Interestingly, when comparing her reconstructed face to those of modern women from the same region, it was found that the shapes of faces and skulls have remained largely unchanged over the centuries.
