Scientists recreate the face of a resident of Jericho from a mysterious skull 9,000 years old

With the help of forensic experts and 3D designers, scientists could reconstruct the face of the famous Jericho skull. This prehistoric find, to the surprise of archaeologists, was covered with a thick layer of gypsum, and sea shells were placed over the eyes.

Scientists suggest that this type of skull was part of a ritual when relatives reconstructed the faces of their ancestors using paint and plaster to honor their memory.

The skull is currently in the British Museum, but a team of forensic scientists in Brazil was able to examine the specimen using a micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scan. This analysis made it possible to look through the plaster that covered the skull and provide clear information about the structure of the face.

According to the anatomical data obtained, the scientists concluded that the skull belonged to a middle-aged man, although it is difficult to determine its gender. Initially, the specimen was classified as female, but now experts are leaning towards the male version due to its large bones and wide eye sockets.

As always in the case of forensic facial reconstruction, scientists relied only on assumptions in some details. So, the hair, beard and skin pigmentation of the model was based on what people might have looked like in that region at the time.

The Jericho skull is about 9,000 years old and was first discovered by archaeologist Kathleen M. Kenyon in 1953 near the Palestinian city of Jericho.