Facial Reconstruction of Moora, Girl of the Uchter Moor

[mvbeleg]

Scientists model ancient bog woman's face

German researchers have shed light on life during the Iron Age after examining the ancient remains of a woman found in a bog in what is now Lower Saxony. The body dates back to the pre-Roman era, more than 2,600 years ago.

21 Jan 11

A team of experts presented their findings on Thursday in Hannover, including facial simulations of the bog woman dubbed “Moora.” Archaeologists first began studying the find six years ago, according to news magazine Der Spiegel.

Experts from the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) generated a digital model of the bones, which was used to make a replica of the bog woman’s skull. Later, five researchers from Germany and the United Kingdom produced a series of facial reconstructions.

“It’s a look into the face of a young woman who lived at a time when Rome was still just a small village,” said Stefan Winghart, head of the regional heritage conservation office in Lower Saxony.

After examining Moora’s corpse, researchers estimated she was between 17- and 19-years-old at the time of her death. Her life was brief but gruelling: The team determined the young woman suffered from malnutrition, chronic inflammation, curvature of the spine – as well as a benign tumour at the base of her skull. The bones also point to a pair of skull fractures due to blunt trauma.

Experts said Moora probably lived a life of intense physical labour – and likely regularly carried heavy loads, such as water jugs, while roaming through the marshland.

When Moora’s remains were initially uncovered – including vertebrae, hair and pieces of the skull – the body was not treated as an archaeological find. Instead forensics experts in Hamburg identified the corpse as a 16- to 21-year-old woman with poor dental hygiene, Der Spiegel said. Until a DNA test proved otherwise, the corpse was suspected to be the body of the young woman Elke Kerll, who disappeared in 1969 after going to a dance club.

Yet after a human hand was uncovered at the site five years after the initial find, archaeologists began to take a closer look. Radiocarbon dating completed at the University of Kiel confirmed the girl had died between 764 and 515 B.C.

Despite researchers’ efforts to learn more about Moora’s life, the circumstances of her death remain a mystery. The team determined the young woman was naked at the time of her death – and the absence of any clothing or jewellery at the site seems to suggest the young woman did not suffer a fatal accident. But the find also contradicts historical knowledge of common burial practices during the Iron Age, as most bodies were cremated.

Taken from: http://www.thelocal.de/sci-tech/20110121-32579.html

Computer Aided Reconstruction of the Bog Body "Moora"


„Moora“ – ihre Umwelt, ihr Leben, ihr Gesicht
Neuste Ergebnisse aus dem Projekt zur Erforschung der prähistorischen
Moorleiche aus dem Uchter Moor

[mvbeleg]

[Motörhead Remember Me]

All reconsructions have one thing in common, the eyes are ste closely. In one reconsruction she has a prominent jaw and in one she has high cheekbones. It's all up to imagination...

[Oreka Bailoak]

Facial reconstruction should never be trusted. Look at how diverse the faces are of the same skull for the reason why. It's ridiculous!

[Korbis]

Looks like a classic Faelid type...I guess it fits.

[Raskolnikov]

All look Lappoid/Uralid.

[Stygian Cellarius]

I found another reconstruction done by Morton State University in Maryland.

The British department of Culture and Antiquities had a unanimous vote in favor of this reconstruction over all others. They said "this reconstruction most likely represents the diversity of our forefathers".
German researchers overseeing the project responded, saying "We do agree that this reconstruction does most accurately represent the demographic situation of pre-roman Saxony. However, for the British to claim ancestral ties to Moora is preposterous, with all due respect. Just because she was discovered in Lower-Saxony doesn't mean her kin eventually populated the British Isles. This particular reconstruction of Moora clearly has a German-exclusive look. We see nothing about the appearance of this reconstruction that suggests any ancestral ties with Britain. Nothing whatsoever".

Just kidding

[mvbeleg]

The British department of Culture and Antiquities had a unanimous vote in favor of this reconstruction over all others. They said "this reconstruction most likely represents the diversity of our forefathers".
German researchers overseeing the project responded, saying "We do agree that this reconstruction does most accurately represent the demographic situation of pre-roman Saxony. However, for the British to claim ancestral ties to Moora is preposterous, with all due respect. Just because she was discovered in Lower-Saxony doesn't mean her kin eventually populated the British Isles. This particular reconstruction of Moora clearly has a German-exclusive look. We see nothing about the appearance of this reconstruction that suggests any ancestral ties with Britain. Nothing whatsoever".

Not bad. Have you ever considered writing for a tabloid?

[Stygian Cellarius]

Not bad. Have you ever considered writing for a tabloid?

hehe, thanks. I could have done that way better had I cleaned some things up in it.

No I haven't thought of that, but that's a great idea. A satirical media outlet like the Onion, but of the above type flavor. Readership would only grow as this multicultural "experiment" spins out of control.

[Motörhead Remember Me]

All look Lappoid/Uralid.

Yep. There's only one problem, "Lappoids" and "Uralids" do not look like that.