The recent archaeological discovery is spectacular in itself, with four ancient death masks from South America being found. But it gets even better. With the help of modern technology, a research team was able to uncover the faces behind them.
Recent Archaeological Discovery: The Mask Party is Over
The four death masks were found during an excavation in Colombia. The recent archaeological discovery, made of clay and wax, was crafted with extraordinary precision – an impressive achievement for its time. Between the 13th and 17th centuries, a sophisticated civilization thrived in northern South America. The lifelike masks have intrigued researchers so much that a team from Liverpool set out to reconstruct the faces they depict.
As the John Moores University states, the masks were fitted to the shape of the skull immediately after death. The masks covered the entire face and jaw, enabling an almost perfect fit. Their composition allowed the material to adapt closely to the unique contours of a face, while ensuring they could be removed without losing their shape.
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What the Revelations Show
The reconstruction of the archaeological find reveals four faces that, according to the scientists, appear almost lifelike. You can look at them in the original article linked above. According to one of the researchers involved, Dr. Jessica Liu, the goal of this work is to “reveal the faces and increase interest in these incredible [South American] civilizations.” and the university referred to it as “demask[ing] the dead.” This can also help to give the lost cultures of South America a more or less vivid impression.
One of the lessons from the scientists’ work is certainly the high-quality craftsmanship of the masks, evident in their processing and durability. Furthermore, this confirms several things that were previously suspected: The four individuals buried were most likely men, had no visible facial deformities, and were well-nourished. Although the faces behind the recent archaeological discovery are probably members of the elite of that time, they show that life was good even in Colombia before the arrival of the Spanish.
Sources: Liverpool John Moores University
This article was translated with the help of AI and carefully reviewed by our editorial team.