Forensic techniques help give a mummy a face

A mummy called Kent, dated from the 18th dynasty of Egypt, was given a face through the application of forensic techniques. 

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - Experts have reconstructed his face without having to remove the bandages, which could risk the deformation of Kent's remains. Because the bandages were left over his head, his hair length and style were designed according to his most probable status during his time.

Forensic anthropologist Dr. Matteo Borrini, who is also a lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University, applied forensic techniques including scanning to produce an exact copy of the mummy's skull without loosening the bandages that holds the ancient remains together.

Kent is believed to have lived at the XVII Dynasty of Ancient Egypt and could have witnessed the times of Tutankhamen or Nefertiti, experts say. 

The CT scan shows he have died around the age of 50-years. 

"The research allows us to use forensic investigation techniques for archaeological purposes to sketch the portrait of men who died millennia ago. The bust I made presents the scientific methodology in a language compatible with the needs of the museum and in harmony with the other artifacts on display," said Dr. Borrini. By cross-referencing the skeletal structures of the skull, he was able to calculate the shape of the mummy's face. 

Together with Professor Donatella Lippi from the University of Florence and the Dr. Maria Cristina Guidotti, Director of the Egyptian Museum, Dr. Borrini came up with the hair design which cannot be deduced from the anatomical remains. 

They believe that Kent, the oldest mummy at the Museum of Florence, was either a priest or a dignitary during his life so they took the appropriate styles into account in the designs. 

The reconstruction was shown at the International Congress of Egyptologists.

The XVIII Dynasty is probably the most famous era for Ancient Egypt as its most prominent rulers lived during that time.

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