Researchers used DNA analysis, photographs of remains and a neural network to find out what facial expressions were
The settlement of Lepenski Vir is a Mesolithichunter's camp and one of the oldest settlements discovered in Europe. Archaeologists have found about 500 remains of various people here, including a skeleton that became known as the "shaman" due to the unusual cross-legged lotus position in which it was found.
Video: Unreal Engine
The shaman lived about 10 thousand years ago.years ago, researchers believe. Based on the analysis of the skeleton, experts determined his height, weight, and even the fact that he ate mainly seafood. To reconstruct the external appearance, scientists needed to create an exact physical copy of a real skull. The researchers used photography and 3D modeling, and 3D printed the finished skull sample.
In the next step, forensic scientist and archaeologist OscarNilsson used clay to recreate the layers of muscle and skin. The researcher used information about the sex, age, ethnicity and weight of the shaman to determine the thickness of the desired structures.
Photo: Unreal Engine
After the physical reconstruction wascompleted, the final finishing was entrusted to neural networks from Unreal Engine. The algorithm compared the appearance of the reconstructed skull with samples with similar geometry and facial proportions and restored the shaman's facial expressions. The technology is reported to use MetaHuman Creator's vast database of scans of real human expressions.
At the final stage, scientists clarified the appearanceof his test subject based on known parameters: DNA analysis showed that he had "intermediate-dark" skin, dark hair and brown eyes. The finished animated reconstruction is placed in the Belgrade Museum.
Read more:
Quantum simulator showed the division of an electron into parts in one-dimensional space
Physicists have created an atomic laser that can work forever
Two planets found not far from Earth that are very similar to ours