The face of a medieval man whose remains were uncovered during the redevelopment of an art gallery has been revealed to the world for the first time in at least 600 years.
The man, known only as Skeleton 125 was among 60 entire skeletons and more than 4,000 human bone fragments from at least 381 individuals discovered on the site of Aberdeen Art Gallery shortly after work began on the building in 2015.
Excavations outside the building later revealed a red brick charnel house containing three Victorian coffins, holding a mass of disarticulated human remains.
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It is thought Skeleton 125, known as SK125, lived in the late medieval period and was over 46 years old when he died.
However, analysis indicated he was not initially local to the area and may have grown up in the North West Highlands or Outer Hebrides.
Facial reconstruction technology was then used to piece his face back together using evidence collected during the dig.
Dr Paula Milburn of AOC Archaeology Group explained: “SK 125 has provided us with a first fascinating glimpse of one of the people buried on the site of Aberdeen Art Gallery over 600 years ago.”
“The on-going post-excavation work is examining the remains in detail and will provide us with amazing information on the kind of people buried here, including their ages, gender, health and lifestyles.”
She added: “Fascinatingly, sulphur isotope data – which can reveal residence later in life – indicates that he may have spent the last years of his life in or around Aberdeen.”
Dental fragments revealed he suffered from extensive disease, including tooth loss, periodontal disease, cavities and a chronic abscess.
He also displayed evidence of degenerative joint disease in the middle and lower back.
The Art Gallery was built in 1885 on the site of the former Blackfriars Dominican Friary, believed to have been founded between AD1222–1249.
The friary and its church, dedicated to St John the Baptist, were destroyed by reformers in AD1560.
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SK125 was recovered from the lowest level of the burials, with other skeletons dated to the period 1050 to 1410.
Of the 60 skeletons, 56 were adults, one an adolescent, thought to be around 13 years old and three were children of six, eight and 11 years of age.
Councillor Marie Boulton, Aberdeen City Council’s cultural spokeswoman, said: “The incredible find on the site and the amazing painstaking research of Dr Milburn and her team is another wonderful chapter in the history of Aberdeen Art Gallery.”
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