Computer modeler brings Paranthropus boisei to life

How to reconstruct the face of an extinct human ancestor

Erin Wayman

Source - https://www.sciencenews.org/article/how-reconstruct-face-extinct-human-ancestor?

3-D designer Cícero Moraes reconstructed the visage  of a distant human relative named Parathrapus boisei. 3-D: C. MORAES; SKULL PHOTO: MOACIR ELIAS SANTOS

Cícero Moraes is adding new portraits to the human family album. The 3-D designer based in Sinop, Brazil, has digitally reconstructed the faces of over 15 extinct hominid species, including Paranthropus boisei, a distant cousin to modern humans. The faces are on display at the University of Padua in Italy.

The odd anatomy of P. boisei, which lived in East Africa some 2.3 million to 1.2 million years ago, has long perplexed scientists. Anthropologists once thought the hominid used its colossal molars and heavy jaw to crack open nuts. Yet recent chemical analyses indicate it grazed on grass.
Moraes began his reconstruction with some photos of a skull. After creating a 3-D digital scan of the bones, Moraes approximated the facial musculature using CT scans of chimpanzees as a reference. From there, he used software to manually sculpt the hominid’s facial features. Finally, he added hair and other cosmetic touches. Bringing P. boisei to life took about five days.

The different stages in Moraes' process (photos: Morales):

Morales created 3-D scans of the bones

CT scans of chimpanzees helped Morales estimate the facial musculature of P.boisei

Using software, Morales sculpted the facial features of gthe extinct hominid

Morales completed final shape of P.boisei's face

To complete to portrait, he added hair