Artists, scientists breathe life into prehistoric woman

With her clear blue eyes and his slightly nervous gaze, the rebuilt bust of Mos’anne – a woman who lived about 10,500 years ago – is strangely realistic.

Reborn via a close partnership between science and art, the bust of Mos’anne was created at Belgium University of Ghent as part of a project to explore how the last hunter-gatherers of the region lived at the Mesolithic era.

“Part of the project also consists in understanding the genetics of these people, determining their kinship and so on, and really translating the science that we make to a wider audience,” the main researcher of the project, Isabelle de Groote, told AFP.

Scientists chose the skull of Mos’anne – appointed by a public vote in reference to the Belgian valley – for reconstruction, because it was exceptionally well preserved.

The bones held a large amount of preserved DNA, which rebuilds the woman – age between 35 and 60 years old at her death – with remarkable realism.

“We also know that at the Mesolithic era, she genetically made the Western hunter-gatherer group,” said groot.

Using genetic tests, researchers were able to determine the skin and color of the mesolithic woman’s eyes.

“This group is known to have very dark skin and blue eyes, a bit like cheddar in Britain,” she said, referring to the man who lived in Britain about 10,000 years ago, whose skeleton was discovered in 1903.

“Mixed emotions”

The DNA of Mos’anne revealed precious clues to its appearance, but it was the unique skills of the Dutch “Paleo-Artists” Alfons and Adrie Kennis who brought her back to life.

After having received advice from researchers – including instructions to use the ocher pigment on the Mos’anne headband – the twins started their work, from the skull molding to the final decorative pen, meticulously carving each facial muscle in the clay.

“Most of the reconstruction is to form a character,” said Alfons Kennis from their Darwin studio in Arnhem.

“You can carry out a medico-legal reconstruction … Use the data, apply the muscles, apply the skin, but you get no character,” said Kennis about their artistic process.

The Kennis brothers – whose last name means “knowledge” in Dutch – take about six months to finish a reconstruction.

They acquired global recognition in the 2000s, their work exhibited in museums around the world and appeared in specialized publications.

The twins, fascinated by evolution and visual art since childhood, are inspired by anthropological images archived early meetings between isolated populations and researchers.

“During the first meeting, there is nervousness, shyness. People laughs, perhaps out of nerves,” said Kennis.

“When a prehistoric ancestor meets you for the first time, you see these mixed emotions … These are the emotions that we want to show.”

Many on Mos’anne remains unknown. In Ghent, researchers always analyze her to discover what she would eat.

With her headband dotted with duck feathers, golden skin and pierced animal teeth adorning her ears and necklace, the prehistoric woman seems closer to us than ever.

“It was always my wish to make him more tangible in a certain way,” said groot.

© 2025 AFP