The face of a young woman adorned with a laurel wreath, elegantly clothed and wearing unusual cork sandals, has emerged nearly 1,700 years after her death, preserved through modern forensic reconstruction techniques.
One of sixteen individuals from Aquincum, a historic Roman city now part of Budapest, becomes a focal point in the “Once We Were Like You” exhibit at the Aquincum Museum. This exhibition pairs carefully excavated skulls with scientifically guided reconstructions, offering a glimpse into the lives of those who inhabited this ancient urban center during Roman rule.
Six hyperrealistic silicone models, complete with synthetic eyes, human hair, intricately detailed eyebrows, and in select cases, facial hair, anchor the visual narrative. Complementing these models, archaeological artifacts—a painted portrait near the feet of one figure, a spindle indicating weaving craftsmanship, and bird-shaped sandals suggesting cultural identity—anchor the stories in tangible remains from the Danubian frontier settlement.
The reconstruction process begins with 3D CT scans of original skulls, followed by 3D-printed replicas used to carefully build facial approximations without damaging ancient remains. Techniques integrate anthropology, archaeogenetics, and facial approximation models to estimate features such as probable hair, eye, and skin coloration, though details like hairstyle and expressions remain interpretive based on contextual evidence.
Among the reconstructions is the figure known as the Jablonka Road mummy, recovered with a wreath, servant-worker skeleton showing signs of physical labor, and a DNA-linked child interred in a communal cemetery. Notably, some individuals reveal archaeological hints of traumatic ends—two women buried face-down in bound positions, though such conclusions remain speculative without corroborating historical records.
Lead reconstruction specialist Emese Gábor explains that 60 distinct anatomical landmarks guide each creation, with modern techniques emphasizing ethical preservation practices while fostering empathetic engagement with history. “These are not just bones in a display,” she states, “but individuals who lived, loved, and struggled within the Roman imperial framework.”
The exhibit prioritizes humanizing narratives for those typically excluded from written histories, particularly common citizens whose skeletons show evidence of malnutrition and repetitive strain injuries. Interactive elements allow visitors to observe reconstructions from multiple perspectives, amplifying the visceral connection to historical subjects. Forensic artistic directors collaborated with osteologists to align biological data with plausible cultural representations, blending scientific rigor with interpretive storytelling to animate the paleodata.”
