Jul 5, 2017 | By Benedict
Scientists in Peru have used 3D printing to reconstruct the face of the Lady of Cao, an ancient female leader who died 1,700 years ago. The woman’s remains were found at a ruined pyramid near Trujillo in 2006.
3D technologies are playing a huge role in teaching us about ancient history. Just a few weeks ago, we learnt how a team of 3D scanning experts in Italy had recreated the face of a man who died in the Mount Vesuvius eruption of 79 AD. Despite the extensive fracturing of the victim’s head, the experts were able to deduce the man’s age, social standing, and even produce a faithful recreation of what he probably looked like.
The Vesuvius project was a marvel of 3D scanning, but now it’s 3D printing’s turn. In Peru, scientists have used 3D printing to reconstruct the face of the Lady of Cao, an ancient female leader of northern Peru’s Moche culture who died 1,700 years ago. The preserved remains of the Lady of Cao were found in 2006 at a ruined mud-brick pyramid called Huaca Cao Viejo, near Trujillo, having been preserved thanks to the dry atmosphere in the tomb.
The scientists working on the 3D printing project were able to reconstruct the woman’s face after analyzing her skull structure and remains—a process that took a whole 10 months. It is believed that Lady of Cao died from childbirth complications in her 20s, while her limbs were covered with tattoos of snakes, spiders, and other supernatural images. The lavishness of her burial site has led some historians to believe she might have been a priestess or a political ruler.
Parties involved in the 3D printing of the Lady’s face included a number of archaeologists, the Wiese Foundation, and global imaging company FARO Technologies, best known for its advanced 3D scanning products.
“We are privileged to announce this strange combination of the future and the past,” commented Salvador del Solar, Peru’s minister of Culture. “Technology has allowed us to see the face of a political and religious leader from a culture from the past.”
The Lady of Cao was buried with a crown, as well as gold and copper items. Also found in the grave were a number of weapons, including two war clubs and 23 spear throwers. Rather scarily, a strangled adolescent was also found near the Lady’s remains, prompting some to believe that this person may have been a sacrifice to help guide to the Lady into the afterlife.
The 3D printed recreation will be displayed in Peru's Culture Ministry in Lima until July 16. It will then be shown at the museum at El Brujo.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
Maybe you also like:
- T-Bone Cape motion control board launches on Indiegogo
- New extruder could lower costs of 3D printing cellular structures for drug testing
- New Ninja Printer Plate for consumer 3D printing
- mUVe3D releases improved Marlin firmware for all 3D printers
- Zecotek plans HD 3D display for 3D printers
- Add a smart LCD controller to your Robo3D printer
- Maker Kase: a handy cabinet for 3D printers
- Heated bed for ABS printing with the Printrbot Simple XL
- Next gen all metal 3D printer extruder from Micron
- Pico all-metal hotend 100% funded in 48 hours, B3 announces Stretch Goal
- Create it REAL announces first 3D printing Real Time Processor
- A larger and more powerful 3D printer extruder on Kickstarter
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
