Pre-Hispanic Colombian Faces Revealed: Digital Reconstruction Unmasks Mummies
A team of researchers has digitally reconstructed the faces of four pre-Hispanic Colombians, offering a glimpse into their possible appearances centuries ago. The project, led by Santiago Canizales, used advanced CT scanning and virtual sculpting techniques to remove stylized death masks from the mummies.
The mummies, dating back to between 1216 and 1797, include a child aged 6 to 7, a female in her 60s, and two young adult males. The reconstructed faces reflect the physical traits typical of the Eastern Cordillera region and have neutral facial expressions. The use of highly stylized death masks, made of resin, clay, wax, and maize with some ornamental beads around the eyes still intact, demonstrates the cultural significance attached to facial representation in pre-Hispanic Colombian societies.
The 'unmasking' allows archaeologists to study the underlying skulls without disturbing the fragile remains physically. The team reconstructed muscles, soft tissue, and fat onto the unmasked skulls using advanced software and haptic tools. However, there are interpretive limits to these reconstructions, including the uncertainty of skin tone, scarring, tattoos, and precise facial features.
These reconstructions provide valuable insights into the physical characteristics of these ancient populations and the symbolic role of funerary masks in their communities. The digital 'unmasking' technique allows for further study without causing physical harm to the remains, preserving their integrity for future generations.
