The unveiling of an ancient Scottish woman’s face from 4,250 years ago has captivated scientists and history enthusiasts alike. Known as ‘Ava,’ this woman was laid to rest near Achavanich, a megalithic structure in northern Caithness, where she remained undisturbed until her grave was discovered in 1987. Now, thanks to a remarkable scientific reconstruction of her features based on her skull, we can finally catch a glimpse of the visage of this ancient ancestor.
Cicero Moraes, a skilled Brazilian graphics expert, led the groundbreaking study that brought Ava’s face to life. He described her as a young girl with a commanding and strong presence. However, reconstructing her face presented several challenges. Ava’s missing mandible had to be virtually reconstructed using statistical data. Additionally, CT scan data from present-day human donors was utilized to determine the size and position of features such as lips, eyeballs, ears, and nose. Thickness markers and data from living donors of European ancestry were also employed to ensure accuracy in depicting the depth of the tissue in different areas of the skull.
Moraes further explained the process called ‘anatomical deformation,’ wherein virtual soft tissue from a donor is manipulated until it matches the structure of Ava’s skull. This technique enables the skin to conform to the underlying structure, resulting in a face that is true to the individual. The result of this painstaking work offers us a remarkable window into Scotland’s prehistoric past.
While this is not the first attempt to recreate Ava’s likeness, it is the first to be accomplished in three dimensions. Previous attempts, like the 2D reconstruction by forensic artist Hew Morrison in 2018, garnered significant attention. Moraes acknowledged the similarities between his work and the previous reconstruction, highlighting that both are rooted in existing technical material. However, the new study utilized different methods, providing a fresh perspective on Ava’s features.
According to the previous study, Ava was likely between 18 and 25 years old at the time of her death. She had brown eyes, black hair, and her skin tone was slightly darker than that of modern-day Scots. Her diet primarily consisted of land-based sources, despite her proximity to the sea. The condition of her bones suggests a life of physical labor, reflecting the challenges faced by individuals in prehistoric Scotland. The cause of her death remains a mystery.
Moraes expressed his gratitude to the team that carried out the original reconstruction, as their work and data served as the foundation for his study. Through collaboration and the availability of digital resources, researchers can continue to shed light on the fascinating lives of our ancient ancestors. Moraes’ study was published in the esteemed 3D computer graphics journal, OrtogOnLineMag.
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