Artists, scientists breathe life into prehistoric woman
With her clear blue eyes and slightly nervous gaze, the reconstructed bust of Mos'anne -- a woman who lived around 10,500 years ago -- is uncannily lifelike.
Reborn via a close partnership between science and art, Mos'anne's bust was created at Belgium's Ghent University as part of a project to explore how the region's last hunter-gatherers lived during the Mesolithic era.
"Part of the project is also understanding the genetics of these people, figuring out their kinship and so on, and to be able to really translate the science that we do to a wider audience," the project's lead researcher, Isabelle de Groote, told AFP.
Scientists chose the skull of Mos'anne -- named by public vote in reference to Belgium's Meuse Valley -- for reconstruction, as it was exceptionally well-preserved.
The bones held a large amount of preserved DNA, making it possible to reconstruct the woman -- aged between 35 and 60 at her death -- with remarkable realism. "We also know that in the Mesolithic times, she is genetically part of the Western hunter-gatherer group," said de Groote.
Using genetic testing, researchers were able to determine the Mesolithic woman's skin and eye colour.
"This group is known for having very dark skin and blue eyes, a bit like Cheddar Man in Britain," she said, referring to the man who lived in Britain around 10,000 years ago, whose skeleton was discovered in 1903. '
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AFP | Arnhem With her clear blue eyes and slightly nervous gaze, the reconstructed bust of Mos'anne -- a woman who lived around 10,500 years ago -- is uncannily lifelike. Reborn via a close partnership between science and art, Mos'anne's bust was created at Belgium's Ghent University as part of a project to explore how the region's last hunter-gatherers lived during the Mesolithic era. "Part of the project is also understanding the genetics of these people, figuring out their kinship and so on, and to be able to really translate the science that we do to a wider audience," the project's lead researcher, Isabelle de Groote, told AFP. Scientists chose the skull of Mos'anne -- named by public vote in reference to Belgium's Meuse Valley -- for reconstruction, as it was exceptionally well-preserved. The bones held a large amount of preserved DNA, making it possible to reconstruct the woman -- aged between 35 and 60 at her death -- with remarkable realism. "We also know that in the Mesolithic times, she is genetically part of the Western hunter-gatherer group," said de Groote. Using genetic testing, researchers were able to determine the Mesolithic woman's skin and eye colour. "This group is known for having very dark skin and blue eyes, a bit like Cheddar Man in Britain," she said, referring to the man who lived in Britain around 10,000 years ago, whose skeleton was discovered in 1903. '
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