Recreating Saint Valentine's face after 1,700 years

Brazilian experts have recreated the facial features of St Valentine for the first time 1,700 years after he was executed by Roman soldiers for performing weddings for young couples.

Brazilian scientists useModern 3D interactive technology recreatesfacepatron saint of loversValentine after studying his ancient skull,MirrorFebruary 14 news.

They digitally mapped the remains.Saint Valentineand the facial reconstruction was done by Cicero Moraes, one of the country's top computer graphics designers.

After researcher José Luís Lira took a photo of theThe statue of Saint Valentine at the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome,Dr. Marcos Paulo Salles Machado, a forensic anthropologist,began leading the analysis team. The analysis showed that the remains belonged to a European man aged 55 or older.

Although access to the skull was limited because the remains were housed in a tiny glass reliquary and adorned with a wreath, researchers have produced the first highly reliable image of the 3rd-century Roman priest.

From the anatomical layering of soft tissues and muscles to the coloring of skin tones and facial features, the end result is a white-haired, bearded man with a benevolent face. He wears the ceremonial robes of the time, and the red color symbolizes his sainthood.

The face of Saint Valentine was restored after 1,700 years. Photo: Caters News.

Using 43 images selected from 250, graphic artist Moraes used photogrammetry and spatial scaling software to map and construct a 3D skull. Machado then analyzed the virtual head and confirmed its origin, gender, and age without knowing who the subject was.

From his observations, Machado concluded that this was an adult male. He also analyzed features such as the area between the eyebrows, the forehead, the brow arch, the eye sockets, and the mastoid process (the temporal bone behind the ear). Age was determined based on the development of the teeth.

“A complete analysis is difficult to do because photogrammetry can only capture a small portion of the front of the skull, so we still need to fill in the gaps,” Machado said.

Moraes used another highly compatible skull from a 3D digital library to complete the skull of Saint Valentine. He then digitally adjusted the image and added anatomical details such as soft tissue, muscles, and cartilage, using measurements from hundreds of middle-aged men and their ancestors to create a face.

"We are convinced that we have found the face of the true saint of love and discovered much of his appearance when he was alive," Moraes asserted.

Although the life of Saint Valentine remains shrouded in mystery, legend has it that the priest risked his life to defy the marriage ban imposed by Roman Emperor Claudius II.

Historians believe that Claudius II wanted to build an invincible army, with warriors free from family matters, so he banned young men from marrying. However, the priest Valentine defied the ban by secretly performing weddings for couples, including many Roman soldiers.

When Claudius II discovered this, he had him imprisoned and tortured. During this time, many young people continued to throw flowers and notes expressing their love into the prison. Valentine was executed in 273, becoming the inspiration for today's Valentine's Day.

According to VNE