AssetID: 56115860
Headline: Face of man beheaded in Roman Scotland reconstructed after 2,000 years
Caption: Scientists have digitally reconstructed the face of a man who was beheaded after his death almost 2,000 years ago near a Roman military fort in Scotland. The man is believed to have travelled hundreds of miles from southern Britain to the shores of the Firth of Forth, where he died between AD 140 and 165, aged approximately 50. Analysis of his remains suggests he lived a physically demanding life, with signs of injuries and illness providing clues about his appearance and daily activities. Researchers believe he had brown eyes and dark hair which was beginning to turn grey. His face would also have shown signs of ageing, including lines around his eyes. An examination of the man's skeleton revealed several injuries sustained during his lifetime. His nose had been broken but had healed, while extensive bone growth around his right elbow joint had left him with limited use of his arm. Researchers believe the condition was probably caused by septic arthritis, a serious joint infection. Although his occupation remains unknown, archaeologists say he was unlikely to have been a soldier when he died, as his restricted arm movement would have prevented him from swinging a sword. Pronounced wear on his front teeth suggests he may have adapted to his limited mobility by holding objects between his teeth. The man was among a group of unusual burials discovered near the Roman fort at Inveresk. Burials from Roman Scotland are relatively rare, but the site is particularly significant because four of the six adult men found there had been decapitated after death. The practice, known as post-mortem decapitation, has been identified at archaeological sites across Britain. However, the Inveresk burials are the first examples discovered in Scotland and are among the earliest known in Britain. The reasons behind the practice remain uncertain and are thought to have varied over time. It may have been a form of punishment, been connected to beliefs about the circumstances of someone's death or been motivated by supernatural concerns. Dr Jess Thompson, curator of osteoarchaeology at National Museums Scotland, said: "The burials at Inveresk are exceptional and incredibly rare survivals from Roman Scotland. Taking an interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of human remains allows us to understand the physical attributes of these individuals as well as their life stories. We can investigate where these men had travelled from to reach the frontier, what they were doing there and what became of them. This facial reconstruction by Dr Chris Rynn unites cutting-edge science with artistic vision to create an instant connection with the past, offering a dynamic portrait of what he may have looked like and who he may have been." The reconstruction was produced by Dr Chris Rynn using evidence from several scientific investigations. Dr Fraser Hunter, principal curator of prehistory and Roman archaeology at National Museums Scotland, added: “I have worked with the finds from Roman Inveresk for years, but this facial reconstruction finally gives me a sense of what one of its inhabitants looked like. Archaeology tells us about people who had hopes and fears just like us, and it is a privilege to present a vision of this resident of Inveresk using contemporary scientific techniques. We cannot know how exactly he looked, but we think his family and friends would have spotted the likeness.” These included an osteoarchaeological assessment at National Museums Scotland, previous isotope analysis led by researchers at Durham University and ancient DNA analysis carried out by a team from the University of York and Harvard Medical School. By combining the findings, Dr Rynn was able to estimate the man's facial features and appearance. The man's skull will be displayed alongside the digital facial reconstruction in an exhibition entitled Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire. The exhibition will explore what life was like on the northern frontier of the Roman Empire, including the experiences of soldiers attempting to conquer the region, the families and communities living around military bases, and local people whose lives and lands were threatened by the Roman invasion. It will examine how these different groups experienced and responded to Roman occupation, offering an insight into the people who lived on the edge of the empire nearly 2,000 years ago.
Keywords: Feature,photo,video,scotland,beheading
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