[PHOTOS] This Is What Cleopatra's Sister, Nefertiti And Santa...

4^min

Why would people look at a painting of a historical figure when they can come face to face with one?

Forensic facial reconstruction using scans of skeletal remains allowed researchers to create 3D models of the face through a combination of science, history, and artistic interpretation.

The results were considered subjective, but remained fascinating anyway.

Here are some facial reconstructions of famous people.

1. Cleopatra’s Sister

It is known that Cleopatra hated her half-sister Arsinoe IV that she had her dragged out of the temple of Artemis and murdered.

Researchers say they have discovered what may be Arisone’s body, based on the shape of the tomb, carbon dating, and other factors.

The resulting facial reconstruction shows a petite teenager of European and African blood.

2. King Tutankhamun

According to 3D renderings, King Tutankhamun had buckteeth, a receding chin, and a slim nose. His weird skull shape is just within range of normal and was probably genetic, since his father had a similarly shaped head.

Tut’s body also had a broken leg, indicating he may have died from falling off a horse or chariot.

3. Queen Nefertiti

Is this Queen Nefertiti? Archeologist Joann Fletcher made a strong case that a mummy found in a sealed crypt may be the queen.

For the facial reconstruction, two British forensic experts worked blind and came up with the above rendering without knowing whose skull it was. It bears a strong resemblance to the famous bust of the queen.

One thing is for sure! With that long neck, delicate bones, and full lips, this woman was quite a looker.

4. Santa Claus

The remains of St. Nicholas, i.e. Santa Claus, have been in a church in Bari, Italy since they were stolen from Turkey in 1087.

This reproduction reveals that St. Nicholas had a small body, a huge masculine head, with a square jaw and strong muscles in the neck.

He also had a broken nose, like someone had beaten him up.

5. Shakespeare

No one knows anything about Shakespeare for sure! His hair color, his sexual orientation, how he spelled his name, whether he liked his wife, etc.

Some people aren’t even sure whether he wrote his plays or not.

This rendering, taken from a death mask found in Germany, is bound to be controversial. But if it is Shakespeare, it’s pretty intriguing. It shows a man who suffered from cancer and had a sad, soulful face.

6. Bach

J.S. Bach’s bust has sat on innumerable pianos for centuries; however, he only posed for one portrait in his lifetime.

This reconstruction of his face, which was taken from a bronze cast of his skull, offers an interesting glimpse into the man beneath the 18th century wig.

Source

[PHOTOS] This Is What Cleopatra's Sister, Nefertiti And Santa Claus Looked Like