Peru reveals face of ancient young female ruler Lady of Cao

A glimpse of the former Peruvian priestess, the Lady of Cao, can now be seen in a replica of her face (pictured) unveiled by culture officials and archaeologists in Lima, Peru, on Monday

She died in her twenties some 1,700 years ago and ruled over a desert valley in ancient Peru, where her elaborately tattooed body was wrapped in 20 layers of fabric and buried with weapons and gold objects.

But a glimpse of the former priestess, the Lady of Cao, can now be seen in a replica of her face unveiled by culture officials and archaeologists on Monday.

Using 3D forensics technology, the replica was based on the Lady of Cao's skull structure and took 10 months to create.

The international team of researchers behind the effort, led by experts at Peru's El Brujo museum where the mummy is currently on display, first took pictures of the Lady of Cao's remains with a state-of-the-art, handheld laser scanner.

The scanner was designed for industrial use and is now commonly used in forensic investigations.

The scanned data was then entered into a computer, which digitally stripped away her facial skin to reveal her skull bones.

Using different software, the team then placed 'tissue-depth markers' on the skull - another common forensics technique - and added tissues to the model based on average facial structures worked out from other Peruvian mummies.

'It's the exact same process you'd go through hands-on in the traditional method, adding clay to a model, but it's rolled into the digital environment now,' Joe Mullins, a consultant on the project, told National Geographic.

The discovery of the Lady of Cao's mummified remains in 2005 shattered the belief that the ancient Moche society, which occupied the Chicama Valley from about 100 to 700 AD, was patriarchal.

Several Moche female mummies have been found since in graves with objects denoting a high political and religious standing.

Archaeologists believe the Lady of Cao died due to complications of childbirth but otherwise lived a healthy life.

Her arms and legs were covered with tattoos of snakes, spiders and other supernatural motifs.

Peru reveals face of ancient priestess από euronews-en