Scientists Recreate the Face of 3,500-Year-Old Egyptian Pharaoh Amenhotep I

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Reported by Ancient Origins:

For the first time in 3,500 years, scientists have revealed a likeness of the face of Amenhotep I, the Egyptian pharaoh who founded the Valley of the Kings. This was made possible through a combination of modern technology and historical expertise, offering an intimate glimpse into the appearance of a ruler who ushered in one of ancient Egypt’s golden ages.

Amenhotep I, the second ruler of Egypt's 18th Dynasty, reigned from around 1526 to 1506 BC. Known for his reign of peace and prosperity, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Ahmose I, who expelled the Hyksos invaders and reunited Egypt.

Amenhotep I’s reign laid the groundwork for the New Kingdom’s rise to power, and he is credited with establishing the Valley of the Kings as the final resting place for pharaohs and nobles of this era, writes the Daily Mail.

Not only was Amenhotep I revered for his military achievements, which included campaigns in Libya and northern Sudan, but he also oversaw significant religious and architectural projects, earning the devotion of his people.

After his death at around 35 years of age, Amenhotep I was worshipped as a god, and his mummified body was meticulously preserved.

Once again, Brazilian 3D designer Cicero Moraes, who specializes in forensic facial reconstruction, spearheaded the project to digitally recreate the face of Amenhotep I. Using cutting-edge techniques, Moraes combined data from various sources, including computed tomography (CT) scans of the pharaoh’s skull taken in 2021. This work was part of a broader project led by paleo-radiologist Sahar N. Saleem of the University of Cairo and renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, who virtually "unwrapped" Amenhotep’s mummy using advanced CT scanning.

The CT scans revealed important details about the pharaoh’s physical appearance, including his skeletal structure and some preserved internal organs like his heart and brain. These scans also confirmed that Amenhotep I stood about 5 feet 6 inches (1.67 meters) tall and had well-preserved teeth.

Although the scans did not determine a cause of death, they suggested that his body suffered postmortem damage, likely caused by tomb robbers or embalmers who rewrapped his mummy centuries after his burial.

Using the skull scans as a foundation, Moraes applied various reconstruction techniques. One method involved placing soft tissue thickness markers across the skull, while another involved "anatomical deformation," adjusting a digital donor’s head until it matched the contours of Amenhotep’s skull.

The final reconstruction was a composite, blending these techniques with historical knowledge of Egyptian royalty.

Read more here.