Scientists and archaeologists have managed to recreate the face of an 11-year-old Athenian girl, 'Myrtis', from her skull and teeth found in an ancient cemetery of the city.
Myrtis’s is a sad story. The little girl seems to have died of typhoid fever, possibly as part of the great plague that swept through Athens during the Peloponnesian war in the second half of the 5th century BC. Her face, on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, will be used to front a UN Millennium Project campaign as a reminder of the eternal threat of child mortality.
i am going to visit her in March 2011. I will say hello for all of you!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I hate to spoil the sentiment, but that's a creepy looking kid.
ReplyDeleteBut, I think it's really nice how they're finally using history to do something other than glorify national identity or enforce Euro-centricism, which has particularly been the case with Greek history. MAN, I admit, one thing that really made me mad about history extension is the political/evangelical ploy history has been/is for many. :(
^ That's very courteous of you, sir! I'm sure she will be thrilled to make your acquaintance :)
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