GabyAn international team of scientists has restored in detail the “handsome” face of the most powerful ruler of Ancient Egypt for the first time in 3,200 years since his death.
Researchers from Egypt and Britain have joined forces to recreate the face of a ruler using a 3D model of his skull. Initially, the scientists reconstructed the image that belonged to Ramses II at the age of 90. Then, the team “turned back time” and displayed his face in the prime of his life: at approximately 45 years old.
This is what Ramses II looked like at the age of 45, according to scientists.
A bit about the hero of the reconstruction.
Ramses II is remembered by descendants mainly for his penchant for self-promotion. Additionally, he is known for the colossal statues he commissioned and his extensive construction program, the publication reported. Daily Mail .
Nineteenth-century Egyptologists named him Ramses the Great. The reign of the pharaoh from 1279 to 1213 BC marked the last peak of Egypt’s imperial power.
The pharaoh ascended to the throne as the third king of the nineteenth dynasty at the age of 20 (according to another version by scholars – 25).
It is believed that during his 67-year reign, he built more temples and had more children than any other pharaoh. Chronicles record over 100 of his descendants from numerous wives and concubines.
Ramses II at the age of 90.
How is it – to recover? to love the image of the pharaoh?
Professor of Radiology Sahar Salim from Cairo University has created a 3D model of the skull of Ramses II. She noted that as a result of the meticulous work of scientists, one can see the face of a “very handsome” Egyptian. He has a “prominently defined nose and a strong jaw.”
Professor of anthropology Caroline Wilkinson from Liverpool John Moores University explained how the pharaoh’s face was reconstructed. Thanks to the computed tomography of the skull, the team obtained a three-dimensional model. The researchers also used a “database of pre-modeled facial anatomy.” The most challenging part was recreating important nuances: skin, hair, and eye color, as well as spots and wrinkles. Fortunately, this information was contained in the soft mummified tissues. Various historical sources also helped to learn about specific features of the pharaoh’s appearance.
According to Caroline Wilkinson, about 70 percent of the reconstructed image has an error of at least 2 mm, considering the shape of the face.
However, as Professor Salim noted, this is the only scientific reconstruction of Ramses II based on the computed tomography of his actual mummy. All previous attempts were unscientific, mostly artistic. We also mentioned that Archaeologists have found the upper part of the magnificent statue of Ramses II. .
