Archaeological facial depiction as a driver for understanding people from the past with facial differences.
Citation summary:
Research investigated how facial difference (deformity/disfigurement) influences our understanding of historical status through facial reconstruction/depiction. Wilkinson’s research led to sole authorship of an invited, peer-reviewed book chapter (2018), and findings were implemented in the multi-disciplinary case, Robert the Bruce (RTB), leading to numerous facial depictions (with and without signs of leprosy; with and without armour/crown), a lead authored paper in a co-authored tripartite series (2019) and an online open access facial reconstruction film (2020). MacGregor led the RTB investigation, with Wilkinson leading all facial depiction research informed by statistical (Monkton) and armoury (Moffatt) interpretation and CGI (Roughley) application.
- Submitting institution
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Liverpool John Moores University
- Unit of assessment
- 32 - Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory
- Output identifier
- 32CW1
- Type
- T - Other
- DOI
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- Location
- Various
- Brief description of type
- Multi Component Output
- Open access status
- Out of scope for open access requirements
- Month
- -
- Year
- 2016
- URL
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- Supplementary information
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- Request cross-referral to
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- Output has been delayed by COVID-19
- No
- COVID-19 affected output statement
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- Forensic science
- No
- Criminology
- No
- Interdisciplinary
- No
- Number of additional authors
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0
- Research group(s)
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3 - Face Lab
- Proposed double-weighted
- No
- Reserve for an output with double weighting
- No
- Additional information
- Psychology literature agrees that social status is highly correlated to facial appearance and facial deformity/disfigurement reduces opportunity/success and increases social isolation. Historians suggest that facial difference in ancient populations resulted in similarly diminished social status, but the incidence of facial difference in archaeological depiction is not recorded, and many examples may have been overlooked due to academic caution.
Utilising an extensive 30-year case archive, Wilkinson reviewed (2016) the influence of historical facial difference depiction on understanding social status, and selected five cases demonstrating a variety of facial difference (disease, trauma, congenital, cultural) and social status (leaders, soldier, cared for individual). Findings demonstrated a lack of social exclusion, prejudice or reduced status due to facial difference in ancient populations, countering strongly held beliefs about lifestyle and community in ancient populations and questioning contemporary cultural issues around inclusion and prejudice. The findings of this research were then implemented (2019) in the case of King Robert II of Scotland, or Robert the Bruce (RTB).
Despite his reputation there are no contemporaneous portraits or appearance descriptions of RTB, presenting a problem for historians, as the facial appearance of a King is, perhaps more than for any other person, crucial to understanding their power and resilience. RTB may have suffered from leprosy, and, if he did, historians believe that this would have negatively affected his leadership status. Wilkinson led the facial depiction research, utilising a skull cast, 19th century burial reports and established anatomical methodology. Uniquely, the facial depiction was also informed by statistical likelihood of hair/eye colour, prevalence of leprosy symptoms, armoury evidence and historical context relating to his status/reputation. These are the only 3D digital depictions of RTB to date, presenting a significant contribution to knowledge relating to his facial appearance, disease visibility and leadership resilience.
- Author contribution statement
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- Non-English
- No
- English abstract
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