In a groundbreaking archaeological discovery, the face of a medieval individual has been unveiled for the first time in over a millennium. The remains of this enigmatic figure, found in a cemetery in Lekno, Poland in 1990, have been meticulously reconstructed through advanced scientific techniques. This marks a historic achievement in the field of anthropology and archaeology, shedding light on the life and appearance of a person who lived during the ninth to eleventh centuries.
The individual, known solely by the archaeological designation Ł3/66/90, is believed to have suffered from two rare types of dwarfism, Achondroplasia and LWD (Limb Length Discrepancy), the latter being an even rarer condition occurring in just 0.1% of births. While their skeletal remains provided critical insights into their physical condition, it was only recently that technology allowed scientists to recreate the person's likeness with astounding accuracy.
This remarkable endeavor was led by Cicero Moraes, who noted that this achievement is the first time such a technique has been applied to reconstruct the face of a dwarf. Moraes, the lead author of the study, expressed his appreciation for the end result, describing it as a harmonious and eye-pleasing representation based on anatomical characteristics. He stated, "Now one can stand 'face to face' with a person from early medieval times."
This is what digital technology thinks the medieval bloke looks like (Image: Credit: Cicero Moraes via Pen News)
The individual Ł3/66/90 stood at approximately 115cm in height and is believed to have been between 30 to 45 years old at the time of their demise. To recreate their facial features, a digitized model of their skull was created by Moraes' co-authors, Marta Krenz-Niedbała and Sylwia Łukasik, both from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poland.
Moraes elaborated on the process, explaining that a series of soft tissue thickness markers were placed over the digitized skull's surface. Additionally, the size of various facial structures such as the nose, ears, and lips were determined by projections based on measurements from CT scans of living individuals. To further refine the reconstruction, they imported a tomography of a living individual, whose skull structure was adjusted to resemble Ł3/66/90's, including modifications to the soft tissue.
The skull was reconstructed before being made into a digital face (Image: Credit: Sylwia Lukasik via Pen News)
The initial stages of this meticulous process resulted in an objective recreation of the face, devoid of hair or other subjective elements. Then, the finishing touches, including hairstyle and other features, were added to bring the historical figure to life. This groundbreaking reconstruction is an exceptional achievement in the realm of anthropological research, allowing us to glimpse the visage of an achondroplastic dwarf for the very first time.
The unveiling of the face of Ł3/66/90 is a testament to the power of science and technology to bridge the gap between the past and the present. This accomplishment not only enriches our understanding of the lives of people in early medieval times but also pays homage to an individual who lived with rare medical conditions, inviting us to connect with history in a deeply personal and human way.
