Experts reconstruct face of Roman man from Scotland 2,000 years ago
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 07:44 · Archive
Experts have digitally reconstructed the face of a man who died on the Roman frontier in Scotland almost 2,000 years ago.
An international team of experts have digitally reconstructed the face of a man who died on the Roman frontier in Scotland almost 2,000 years ago. Using cutting-edge scientific techniques to determine the man's genetic make-up, researchers discovered he was likely in his early 50s when he died at Inveresk, near Edinburgh, between AD 140–165. He was originally from southern Britain and had travelled hundreds of miles to the Firth of Forth coast.
Analysis of his skeleton revealed he suffered several injuries during his life. He had limited use of his right arm due to extensive bone growth near the elbow joint, likely caused by septic arthritis, and had suffered a broken nose which had healed. Experts determined he was not a soldier at the time of his death, as he could not have swung a sword.
The man's skull will be displayed alongside the digital facial reconstruction in the exhibition Roman Scotland: Life On The Edge Of Empire, which opens at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh next month. Dr Fraser Hunter, principal curator of prehistory and Roman archaeology at National Museums Scotland, said the reconstruction finally gave him 'a sense of what one of its inhabitants looked like' and that 'archaeology tells us about people who had hopes and fears just like us'.
How it is being reported
- Face of man from Roman Scotland revealed in new reconstructionThe head will be on show in the exhibition Roman Scotland: Life On The Edge Of Empire.Evening Standard · 20 Oct, 07:18
- Experts reconstruct face of man from Roman Scotland after 2,000 yearsThe man’s skull will be displayed alongside the digital facial reconstruction in a new exhibitionThe Independent · 20 Oct, 00:01
In this story: Inveresk · Edinburgh · Firth of Forth · Roman Scotland · National Museum of Scotland · Dr Fraser Hunter · National Museums Scotland
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