TOTTORI—The face of a Japanese woman who lived around 1,800 years ago and wouldn't look out of place today has been re-created in a stunning visualization.
A bust of the long-deceased woman, whose facial features have been meticulously reconstructed based on DNA analysis of her skull, was unveiled at the Aoya Kamijichi Historical Park here on March 20.
It depicts her as having light skin, no moles, straight hair, double eyelids, dark irises and thick eyebrows.
The DNA analysis also revealed other genetic characteristics, including dry earwax and a high tolerance for alcohol, according to researchers.
“I’m amazed at how realistic it is,” Tottori Governor Shinji Hirai said at the bust’s unveiling ceremony.
“In a strangely convincing way, it makes me believe our ancestors looked like this,” said Hirai.
The woman’s skull, which dates to the late stages of the Yayoi Pottery Culture Period (1000 B.C.-A.D. 250), was unearthed at the Aoya Kamijichi archaeological site in 2000.
Tottori Prefecture conducted the facial reconstruction project with the cooperation of the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo.
“She was cool,” said Hinato Yamamoto, 6, who visited the facility to see the reconstruction.
“I was amazed that people like this lived here. I’m glad I got to see it,” said Nana, his 28-year-old mother.
This is the third bust reconstructed from skulls recovered at the archaeological site.
The first reconstruction was of a man dubbed “Kamijiro Aoya" and the second was of a boy dubbed “Raito Aoya.”
The prefecture plans to invite the public to suggest a name for the newly unveiled female reconstruction.