A team of researchers has reconstructed the face of Pharaoh Ramesses II, who lived 3,200 years ago, using CT scan data of his skull.
Scientists from Egypt and the UK collaborated to recreate the portrait of Pharaoh Ramesses II at the time of his death, utilizing a 3D model of his skull to reconstruct his features. They then reversed the aging process, taking a step back nearly half a century to recreate the face of the pharaoh at the height of his power. The result is the first-ever facial reconstruction of a pharaoh based on computed tomography (CT) scans of his skull.
The reconstructed face of Pharaoh Ramesses II at an older age and middle age. (Photo: Face Lab/Liverpool John Moores University)
Researcher Sahar Saleem from Cairo University, who created the 3D skull model, stated that the results reveal a king who was “very handsome” with a prominent nose and distinct jawline.
The research team led by Caroline M. Wilkinson, an expert from Liverpool John Moores University, reconstructed the face of Ramesses II, one of the most famous pharaohs of ancient Egypt, based on CT scans of his mummy, as reported by IFL Science on October 19. The new study was published in the Journal of Archaeological Science. The digital reconstruction unveils the face of Ramesses II at age 45, during his prime, and at age 90, when he passed away.
The researchers explained that Ramesses II’s mummy was scanned using a modified CT method suitable for ancient bodies that had dried out. They also noted the remarkable work that ancient embalmers did to preserve the pharaoh’s body. “The mummy of Ramesses II is like a ‘time capsule’ preserving the features of his face and hair, allowing us to study facial characteristics in greater detail,” the team of experts stated.
For instance, Ramesses II was balding in his later years, with hair only at the back and sides. These resilient hair follicles were dyed orange with henna, and most of it remains on the mummy after more than 3,200 years.
Ramesses II had ear piercings, but archaeological evidence indicates that men in ancient Egypt typically wore earrings only when they were young. Therefore, the research team decided to reconstruct the face of adult Ramesses II without jewelry. The mummy also shows that this pharaoh had “honey-brown skin” and “a prominent nose.” The embalmers attempted to preserve his nose by stuffing it with materials such as seeds, resin, and animal bones.
The process of reconstructing the face of Pharaoh Ramesses II. (Video: Face Lab/Liverpool John Moores University).
This is the second reconstruction project that Sahar has led recently after completing the facial reconstruction of Pharaoh Tutankhamun alongside sculptor Christian Corbet. However, reconstructing the face of a long-dead pharaoh comes with many challenges. For example, the skull alone cannot reveal every aspect of appearance.
“The difficulties after determining the shape of the face include information about skin color, blemishes and wrinkles, as well as hair and eye color. In this case, we were guided by Sahar and her colleagues regarding eye color, hair color, and skin color. We also gathered information about Pharaoh Ramesses II from historical texts. Additionally, we studied the soft tissue of his face from the mummy,” Wilkinson shared.
The experimental process was also tested with living subjects, allowing for comparison between the reconstruction results based on CT scan data and living specimens.
| Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great, was the third pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty in Egyptian history. According to records, he is recognized as one of the greatest, most powerful, and most celebrated pharaohs in history, known for his numerous glorious victories and monumental constructions. |
