The world may never know why the thousand-year-old skull discovered in 2018 appeared in an underwater mass grave.
However, according to Science Times, thanks to 3D facial reconstruction technology, the appearance of a man with a high nose, wide forehead and long beard is appearing before our eyes.
Swedish forensic physician Oscar Nilsson has exploited the power of this technology to graft features onto the skull. Facial and skin muscles are formed based on different factors such as weight, height and ethnicity.
Previously, the man's skull was one of 12 remains found in a prehistoric lake in Sweden. The bodies are covered with a thick layer of rock, playing a role in preserving the "collective tomb" underwater from about 8,000 years ago. Although the cause of their deaths will remain a mystery, experts say that this group of people could be an offering in an ancient ceremony.
According to Live Science, Nilsson took a computer crest cut and printed a 3D copy of it in vinyl plastic (sturdy, flexible plastic). Due to the loss of a jaw, Nilsson had to do a measurement and recreate it in the most suitable position. Only one of the bodies still has jaw bones and experts say they were removed as part of the burial ceremony.
Although there was no solid evidence of what the man was wearing, Nilsson chose an outfit and hairstyle based on items found in the grave.
Previously, bones of animals such as bears, wild boars, deer, and crab were found along with these remains.
"The man was wearing clothes made from wild boar skin," the forensic pathologist said.
