Chinese researchers have recreated the face of an ancient emperor who ruled the country 1,500 years ago. Emperor Wu-di, who ruled the Northern Zhou Dynasty from 560 to 578, left behind an important legacy, including the strengthening of the military and the unification of Northern China. In 1996, archaeologists discovered his remains in the north of the country, preserving a few bones and almost his entire skull.

The study, published in a scientific journal, used DNA analysis to identify more than a million single nucleotide polymorphisms. This allowed scientists to learn more about the emperor’s appearance, including the color of his eyes, hair, and skin.

Upon examination, it was revealed that Woodi had brown eyes, black hair and dark skin. They were probably part of an ancient nomadic group that lived in the territory of modern Mongolia and northern China.

Scientists have recreated the emperor’s skull and his face in 3D with the help of modern programs to predict facial features. They used data on the structure of soft tissues in modern Chinese for a more accurate reconstruction.

Wu-di died at the age of 36, and the cause of death is still a matter of debate. However, DNA analysis showed a genetic predisposition to paralysis, which may have been the cause of his sudden death. These findings are consistent with historical records describing potential stroke symptoms such as aphasia, eyelid drooping, and gait disturbances. Source