Forensic ArtsFACIAL RECONSTRUCTION FROM SKELETAL

REMAINS

• Fundamental in forensic science as a

method for identifying bodies

• But why in archaeology/paleo

anthropology?

Why?

• Characterisation of individuals of certain

societies

• Humanisation; tangible impression of

individuals from the past

• Visualising evolutionAustralopithecus afarensis

How?• 3 main approaches: ‘Russian’,

‘American’, ‘Manchester’

Problems

• Range and depth of skills needed

• Ambiguous variables

• Differences between ethnic groups,

sexes, ages

• Environmental factors - Landau

Problems

• Very invasive without use of virtual

anthropology (VA)

• Computer-aided reconstruction requires

sophisticated techniques. These are

controlled by few teams in the world

Problems• Forensic accuracy (identification): Will and William West,

1903

Examples

Harwa: Egyptian nobleman, 1st millennium BC

Francesco Gonzaga, prominent nobleman of Italian Renaissance

and son of Isabella d’Este

Fayoum Mummies and accompanying portraits

Late Roman/Early Coptic period, Egypt

Mummies 1770 and Sensaos

Philip II, father to Alexander III of Macedon

Tutankhamun - pharaoh, post-Amarna

(kind of obscure)