SoA Forum

History => Ancient and Medieval History => Topic started by: Imperial Dave on Mar 25, 2021, 12:37 PM

Title: Facial reconstructions of centuries-old Edinburgh-dwellers released
Post by: Imperial Dave on Mar 25, 2021, 12:37 PM
https://www.historyscotland.com/history/scottish-history/edinburgh-medieval-facial-reconstructions

I am pretty sure I have been out for a pint with the second person last time I was in Edinburgh....
Title: Re: Facial reconstructions of centuries-old Edinburgh-dwellers released
Post by: Justin Swanton on Mar 25, 2021, 01:15 PM
I always wonder how accurate these reconstructions are. As an experiment, I would like to give the same skull to several entirely unrelated experts and see what they come up with. Betcha it won't the be the same or even similar.
Title: Re: Facial reconstructions of centuries-old Edinburgh-dwellers released
Post by: Erpingham on Mar 25, 2021, 01:25 PM
Quote from: Justin Swanton on Mar 25, 2021, 01:15 PM
I always wonder how accurate these reconstructions are. As an experiment, I would like to give the same skull to several entirely unrelated experts and see what they come up with. Betcha it won't the be the same or even similar.

I remember seeing this done once for, I think, a TV documentary.  The results were broadly similar but that's because the underlying model for e.g. tissue depth at certain points is the same.  Some things are always speculative, like ears.  These days, you can check DNA for things like skin, eye and hair colour though I've noticed some places use black and white reconstruction images where this hasn't been done (making it look even more like a Police wanted person poster).
Title: Re: Facial reconstructions of centuries-old Edinburgh-dwellers released
Post by: Imperial Dave on Mar 25, 2021, 07:56 PM
there will always be an element of interpretation but it is interesting.....
Title: Re: Facial reconstructions of centuries-old Edinburgh-dwellers released
Post by: Nick Harbud on Mar 26, 2021, 09:01 AM
QuoteEarly forensic analysis indicates that the woman may have suffered from nutritional deficiencies.

Evidentally the deep-fried Mars bar was a feature of Scottish diet much earlier than previously thought....

:P
Title: Re: Facial reconstructions of centuries-old Edinburgh-dwellers released
Post by: Imperial Dave on Mar 26, 2021, 09:08 AM
 :o
Title: Re: Facial reconstructions of centuries-old Edinburgh-dwellers released
Post by: Nick Harbud on Mar 26, 2021, 01:18 PM
...and did you like the way they managed to reconstruct the Hearts tattoo?

:P
Title: Re: Facial reconstructions of centuries-old Edinburgh-dwellers released
Post by: Imperial Dave on Mar 26, 2021, 02:42 PM
 ::)