Abstract
Facial approximation (FA) is a common tool used to recreate the possible facial appearance of a deceased person based on the relationship between soft tissue and the skull. Although this technique has been primarily applied to modern humans in the realm of forensic science and archaeology, only a few studies have attempted to produce FAs for archaic humans. This study presented a computerized FA approach for archaic humans based on the assumption that the facial soft tissue thickness depths (FSTDs) of modern living humans are similar to those of archaic humans. Additionally, we employed geometric morphometrics (GM) to examine the geometric morphological variations between the approximated faces and modern human faces. Our method has been applied to the Jinniushan (JNS) 1 archaic human, which is one of the most important fossils of the Middle Pleistocene, dating back to approximately 260,000 BP. The overall shape of the approximated face has a relatively lower forehead and robust eyebrows; a protruding, wider, and elongated middle and upper face; and a broad and short nose. Results also indicate skull morphology and the distribution of FSTDs influence the approximated face. These experiments demonstrate that the proposed method can approximate a plausible and reproducible face of an archaic human.
Highlights
Facial approximation (FA) or craniofacial reconstruction aims at recreating a potential facial appearance from a dry skull
We examined the effects of skull morphology and facial soft tissue thickness depths (FSTDs) on the approximated faces
geometric morphometrics (GM) was carried out to capture the main features of the approximated faces and examine the geometric morphological variations between the approximated faces and modern human faces
Summary
Facial approximation (FA) or craniofacial reconstruction aims at recreating a potential facial appearance from a dry skull. This technique is often the last hope in the realm of forensic science when no other clues and evidence support the investigation and identification (Wilkinson 2010). It has sometimes been applied to named individuals, but more usually unnamed people from the past. These applications always focused on modern humans, and they are less commonly applied to archaic humans, where differences in skull and facial morphologies make the approximation more challenging.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
