Detail

According to the initial analysis, researchers already knew this. man died between 25 and 35 years oldand his “bruised skeleton” showed thinning leg bones; This was evidence that he had probably been chained to the wall for a long time and his mobility was restricted. The remains were found in a cemetery in Cambridgeshire, along with more than 40 individuals whose skeletons showed signs of hard labor.

The man’s skeleton was buried along with a dozen iron nails and a wooden plank that may have been used to form a cross to which his hands and feet were nailed. According to the University of Cambridge, this is considered the best-preserved example of a Roman cross in the world.

Complete skeleton of a man whose appearance has been reconstructed / Photo: Albion Archeology/Adam Williams

One nail left / Photo: Albion Archeology/Adam Williams

To reconstruct the face, researchers enlisted the help of forensic artist Joe Mullins, an assistant professor in the forensic science program at George Mason University in Virginia, who regularly performs reconstructions for law enforcement. Mullins used CT scans of the man’s skull and computer software to create a skeleton of the face.

Once the man’s bone structure was in place, Mullins “sculpted the facial muscles” using biomarkers to determine thickness.

The researchers also provided a genetic profile compiled from the man’s DNA; this helped define some of Mullins’ look, including her skin tone and dark eyes. Having this additional layer of information from the genetic profile helped make the final reconstruction.

Possible view of the crucified man / Photo: Albion Archeology/Adam Williams

Analysis of the remains showed that he had lived in Cambridgeshire all his life and most likely had brown hair and brown eyes. During the analysis, various injuries unrelated to the crucifixion were found, indicating that the man suffered for some time before dying. His legs showed signs of infection or inflammation caused by a systemic disorder or binding or chaining.

Crucifixion was a particularly brutal method of killing in ancient Rome. The most famous person to whom this method of execution was allegedly applied was Jesus, if the biblical legend is to be believed. But it was used for centuries before and after; It was first used for slaves and traitors, and became much more widely used from the 3rd century AD.

Although the man was brutally tortured, his body was given “to his people for a completely normal burial,” investigators say.