3-D Reconstructions Reveal the Faces of Two Medieval Dukes [Czech]

Smithsonian ^ | March 15, 2021 | Isis Davis-Marks

[SunkenCiv]

Back in the 1980s, anthropologist Emanuel Vlček visited Prague Castle to examine two skeletons linked to the Přemyslid dynasty, a royal house active between the late 800s and 1306 A.D. Now, reports Czech news outlet iROZHLAS, researchers have used modern technology to analyze these remains and envision what their owners might have looked like.

A joint Czech-Brazilian research group drew on facial reconstruction techniques to approximate the appearances of two medieval brothers: Dukes Spytihněv I (circa 875–915) and Vratislav or Vratislaus I (circa 888–921), father of Czech patron saint Wenceslas I.

The team, which included archaeologists Jiří Šindelář and Jan Frolík, photographer Martin Frouz, and 3-D technician Cicero André da Costa Moraes, has previously reconstructed the faces of Zdislava of Lemberk (circa 1220–1252), patron saint of families, and Czech monarch Judita of Thuringia (circa 1135–1174), among others.

According to Radio Prague International’s Brian Kenety and Lucie Hochmanová, the scholars used radiocarbon dating and DNA analysis to identify the remains and gain insights into the deceased’s diet and mobility. (Frolík co-authored a 2020 study outlining the findings in great detail.) They then scanned the dukes’ skulls with photogrammetry, a technique that captures objects’ measurements in minute detail.

[SunkenCiv]

The team used DNA analysis to determine the brothers' hair and eye color. Top: Spytihněv I and bottom: Vratislav I (Naše historie z. s. via Facebook)

[SunkenCiv]

[Jonty30]

Hey!

It’s me!

[Red Badger]

Czech and Czech mate....................

[Sgt_Schultze]

Who knew feathered hairstyles were a thing so long ago?

[mrmeyer]

I’ve seen the guy before but he was wearing a lynrd skynrd t shirt.

[PGalt]

Interesting, ‘Civ. Thanks for posting. Where’s my Duke of Earl 45? : ) jus funnin’...c’mon man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQnfooEED8Y

[tarpit]

Czech and Czech mate.................

Hysterical :)

[Seruzawa]

Are they going to Duke it out?

[z3n]

Vratislav! baby dun hert me

[z3n]

You better Czech yoself

[PGalt]

Smithsonian is an awesome place. Are they still under lockdown?

https://www.washingtonian.com/2020/09/14/smithsonian-is-reopening-four-museums-this-week/

[Vermont Lt]

They should do one with the side of his skull crushed in....they missed that part.

[null and void]

Only so many noses, eyes, ears, and mouths in the human Mr. Potato Head kit...

[Rurudyne]

Vratislaus?!
Baby don’t hurt me,
Don’t hurt me,
No more!

[Rurudyne]

Argh! You beat me to the joke!

Well done.

Or rather

Hey, hey hey!

[Rinnwald]

So, have they ever vetted this reconstruction stuff? You know, done the skull of a known person, and check accuracy?

[EinNYC]

Not a bad looking fella.

[duckman]

Remember that song well, graduated High School then. Great time to grow up. Video from Shin Dig? (sp)

[Bonemaker]