Chinese researchers have reconstructed the face of a man who lived more than 8,000 years ago

The reconstructed face of a man who lived over 8,000 years ago was unveiled yesterday in Zhengzhou, the administrative center of Henan Province in central China, shedding light on the region’s prehistoric inhabitants.

The sculpture was created based on human remains discovered during excavations at the Jiahu archaeological site in Henan. The reconstruction combined physical anthropology methods with high-precision 3D facial reconstruction technologies, according to researchers from the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology.

Based on the shape of the pelvis and the degree of tooth wear, researchers determined that the remains belonged to a man aged between 25 and 30, stated Zhu Hong, a professor at the institute’s laboratory.

His skull was oval-shaped with high cheekbones. The face was relatively flat with distinct features, and the nose was of medium size. According to Zhu, these characteristics are typical of the physical appearance of the prehistoric inhabitants of the Central Plains.

Researchers collected high-resolution 3D data and created a detailed model of the skull. Twenty-eight key anthropological landmarks on the skull were used for the facial reconstruction, and muscle attachment points were analyzed to determine the facial contours. Fine wrinkles and a natural beard were added to the reconstruction, taking into account the man’s age at the time of his death, the scientists further noted.

The Jiahu archaeological site, located near the village of the same name, dates back to the period between approximately 9000 and 7500 BC. It is a large Early Neolithic settlement with a rich cultural heritage.

Illustrative photo: pexels-abv-tang-2161147047-37245404