The researchers discovered that the boy had an unusual skull with a condition known as scaphocephaly, which means that the skull grows too early, causing his head to grow sideways. The boy was also short for his age.

The remains of the “boy from Viste” / Photo by Oscar Nilsson

What is known about the boy

• The teenager was about 15 years old at the time of his death.
• It was only 1.25 meters tall.
• Despite his unique appearance, the boy’s remains show that he was healthy and well fed.
• The cave where his remains were found contained many animal remains, indicating that there was enough food.

Kitchen waste, bone ornaments and fishing tools were also found at the site, showing ancient people living, working and cooking.

Forensic artist Oscar Nilsson relied on two computed tomography (CT) scans of the skull to create the reconstruction, which allowed him to create a 3D-printed plastic replica. He also relied on measurements of contemporary Northern European 15-year-old boys to estimate the thickness of their facial tissues.

Recreating the face of a child who lived 8300 years ago / Photograph by Oscar Nilsson

The reconstruction depicts a boy found at the archaeological site, holding a fishing rod, a worn and tarry deer skin tunic, salmon skins around his waist, and a bag on his belt.

Reconstruction of the body of the “boy from Viste” / Photograph by Oscar Nilsson

Also on display is a necklace made of salmon vertebrae and broken shells made by the boy. While the boy’s exact cause of death is unknown, his reconstructed likeness offers a glimpse into the life of a Mesolithic boy who lived in Norway more than 8,000 years ago. The reconstruction reminds viewers that despite the differences between the present and the past, basic human needs such as food and shelter remain the same.