Forensic Facial Approximation of the Skull Attributed to Wenceslas of Bohemia (ca. 907–935)
This study presents a digital forensic facial approximation of Wenceslas, Duke of Bohemia (ca. 907–935), based on photographs of the skull attributed to the saint, preserved in St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague. The skull was replicated through structural deformation using public domain images, adjusted t...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Cicero Moraes Johari Yap Abdullah Jiří Šindelář Matej Šindelář Petr Kroupa Jan Frolík Francesco Maria Galassi Thiago Beaini |
| author_facet | Cicero Moraes Johari Yap Abdullah Jiří Šindelář Matej Šindelář Petr Kroupa Jan Frolík Francesco Maria Galassi Thiago Beaini |
| author_sort | Cicero Moraes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study presents a digital forensic facial approximation of Wenceslas, Duke of Bohemia (ca. 907–935), based on photographs of the skull attributed to the saint, preserved in St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague. The skull was replicated through structural deformation using public domain images, adjusted to historical measurements, and enriched with anthropometric data. The facial approximation combined traditional techniques with statistical projections from tomography of living individuals, resulting in two versions: an objective one and another with artistic and more speculative elements based on historical descriptions. Comparisons with Petr Parler’s 14th-century statue and a previous reconstruction revealed structural consistency, suggesting the skull may have inspired the sculpture. This work contributes to humanizing historical figures and reinforces Wenceslas’s legacy as a Czech icon. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cf0ad2e8f7a64e32923a824c7d73cf3c |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2571-9408 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heritage |
| spelling | doaj-art-cf0ad2e8f7a64e32923a824c7d73cf3c2025-08-20T02:21:11ZengMDPI AGHeritage2571-94082025-06-018622110.3390/heritage8060221Forensic Facial Approximation of the Skull Attributed to Wenceslas of Bohemia (ca. 907–935)Cicero Moraes0Johari Yap Abdullah1Jiří Šindelář2Matej Šindelář3Petr Kroupa4Jan Frolík5Francesco Maria Galassi6Thiago Beaini7Ortogonline Treinamento em Desenvolvimento Profissional e Consultoria, Sinop 78557-682, MT, BrazilCraniofacial Imaging Laboratory, School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, MalaysiaGEO-CZ, 391 43 Tábor, Czech RepublicInstitute of Archaeology, Faculty of Arts, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech RepublicDirector of the Department of Monument Preservation, Office of the President of the Czech Republic, Prague Castle, 119 08 Prague, Czech RepublicInstitute of Historical Sciences, Faculty of Arts, University of Pardubice, Studentská 95, 532 10 Pardubice, Czech RepublicDepartment of Anthropology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-237 Łódź, PolandFaculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38408-100, MG, BrazilThis study presents a digital forensic facial approximation of Wenceslas, Duke of Bohemia (ca. 907–935), based on photographs of the skull attributed to the saint, preserved in St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague. The skull was replicated through structural deformation using public domain images, adjusted to historical measurements, and enriched with anthropometric data. The facial approximation combined traditional techniques with statistical projections from tomography of living individuals, resulting in two versions: an objective one and another with artistic and more speculative elements based on historical descriptions. Comparisons with Petr Parler’s 14th-century statue and a previous reconstruction revealed structural consistency, suggesting the skull may have inspired the sculpture. This work contributes to humanizing historical figures and reinforces Wenceslas’s legacy as a Czech icon.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/6/221forensic facial approximationWenceslasPřemyslid dynastydigital skullSt. Vitus Cathedralhistorical anthropology |
| spellingShingle | Cicero Moraes Johari Yap Abdullah Jiří Šindelář Matej Šindelář Petr Kroupa Jan Frolík Francesco Maria Galassi Thiago Beaini Forensic Facial Approximation of the Skull Attributed to Wenceslas of Bohemia (ca. 907–935) Heritage forensic facial approximation Wenceslas Přemyslid dynasty digital skull St. Vitus Cathedral historical anthropology |
| title | Forensic Facial Approximation of the Skull Attributed to Wenceslas of Bohemia (ca. 907–935) |
| title_full | Forensic Facial Approximation of the Skull Attributed to Wenceslas of Bohemia (ca. 907–935) |
| title_fullStr | Forensic Facial Approximation of the Skull Attributed to Wenceslas of Bohemia (ca. 907–935) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Forensic Facial Approximation of the Skull Attributed to Wenceslas of Bohemia (ca. 907–935) |
| title_short | Forensic Facial Approximation of the Skull Attributed to Wenceslas of Bohemia (ca. 907–935) |
| title_sort | forensic facial approximation of the skull attributed to wenceslas of bohemia ca 907 935 |
| topic | forensic facial approximation Wenceslas Přemyslid dynasty digital skull St. Vitus Cathedral historical anthropology |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/6/221 |
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