25 April 2005

Scanning of ancient Fifer's skull

The Unit of Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology at the University of Dundee and Dundee City Council galleries are involved in a joint project to investigate more about the life of a centuries-old skeleton.

Little is yet known about the individual whose skeleton, excavated from a long cist cemetery in Lundin Links, Fife, has been carbon dated between the fifth and seventh centuries AD.

The skeletal remains are being examined by Dr Tim Thompson, lecturer in Forensic Anthropology at Dundee University.

Now the skull of the skeleton is to be digitally scanned which will allow a facial reconstruction to be undertaken. This work will take place at the University on April 25th, with Hyperfocal, a local commercial scanning company, undertaking the scanning in the University's Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology laboratories on Monday 25th April in order to produce a 3 dimensional mathematical model.

It is hoped that detailed examination of the skeleton may reveal details about the life this person led and give a much more extensive understanding of he/she and the time in which they lived, as well as helping create a vivid story by bringing history to life.

The forensic examination is taking place as part of the Who We Are-Dundee's 21st Century Museum Project.

By Roddy Isles, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, r.isles@dundee.ac.uk