The facial reconstruction of a clergy member who most likely lived between the 12th and 13th centuries has given the public a chance to come face-to-face with him, and learn more about his life.
As part of a restoration and renovation project to the Lincoln Cathedral in the UK, archeologists unearthed a rare medieval priestly burial. Objects buried with the man gave away his profession and age—the simple design of a pewter chalice and paten, which are central to the work of a priest, matched previous examples dating as far back the 12th and 13th centuries.
Subsequent analysis of the skeleton confirmed that the medieval priest was a male, and that he was approximately 5’ 7” tall and died between the ages of 35- and 45-years-old, but most likely in his late 30s. According to Lincoln Cathedral, there was little sign in the priest’s skeleton that he had suffered from any disease or injury during his life, with the exception of a small lump resulting from deep tissue bruising and small deposits of mineralized dental plaque. The degeneration of the discs of his lower spine show that the priest was involved in some level of physical activity, and are within the changes that would be expected to have occurred with age. His remains suggest he was well nourished and had a relatively risk-free lifestyle.
UK forensic artist Hew Morrison used the excavation findings and photographs of the skull to build a reconstruction of the priest’s face. The prominent features of the priest’s skill, including his close-set eyes and slightly asymmetrical chin, in addition to estimated age at the time of his death gave Morrison a solid foundation for a facial reconstruction. Morrison told Fox News that the man's lip size and the height and width of his mouth were accurately recreated by measuring the enamel of the skeleton's teeth.
Without DNA testing, the priest’s eye and hair color may be off, but the photo-realistic reconstruction would likely be recognized by a relative or friend—if this was 900 years ago.