Artec Space Spider used in the most ambitious DNA project in history

Ngày tạo: 27/09/2019 11:48:47 SA

Though 3D technology is usually perceived as a futuristic concept, a recent project it was involved in proved that it could also take us back in time. Over 10 000 years back in time to be exact.

Artec Space Spider, the cutting-edge metrological 3D scanner, played a vital role in one of the most exciting DNA projects of our time, initiated and produced by the Plimsoll Productions, a UK based independent production company that creates and produces non-scripted shows for the national and international market and has won BAFTAs, Emmys and RTS awards for their creative work. The captivating documentary that was shot during the project was later screened by Channel 4 in the UK.

Due to the relatively recent archaeological findings in England, for the first time in history, professionals from both the UK and Holland, embarked on an amazing venture to discover what did the first ever Brit actually look like, where did he come from and how is he related to the British people today. The results of this ambitious project were astounding and forever changed the way the people in Britain envisioned their predecessors.

The first and only complete skeleton ever, was unearthed in Gough's Cave, located in the Cheddar Gorge, Somerset, England, a little over 100 years ago, marking an important archaeological milestone. Despite having the remains of the first Brit for over a century, conducting a full DNA analysis has only become possible today, largely due to the recent developments and breakthroughs in the DNA science field. Data, that would previously take at least 3 years to generate, today, can be acquired in just 24 hours! Scientists from the Natural History Museum attained the DNA information needed to reconstruct the appearance of the Cheddar Man, from the bone powder extracted from his scull. Though there was a risk of not being able to gather enough DNA data due to it breaking down over time, everyone involved breathed the sigh of relief, when the results came back. Turns out, the environment of the Gough's Cave, where the Cheddar Man’s skeleton was unearthed, preserved the DNA information perfectly!

Cheddar man’s scull. Picture courtesy of Patrick Thorn & Co

The final STL file of the 3D model was then sent to a Dutch company, Minke Products, to 3D print a 1:1 scull on an Ultimaker 2 extended 3D printer, using the PLA material. Mere 19 hours later, the Kennis brothers, one of the best prehistoric 3D model makers, already had the exact replica of the Cheddar man’s scull, so that they can begin the reconstruction of the facial tissues, skin and hair based on the results of the DNA analysis.

While the Kennis brothers were working hard on rebuilding the face of the first Brit, using the process of adding the pins, and clay by hand, the results of the DNA test were also send to the UCL in London for further analysis. The team at the University College London examined the data to conclude what that the Cheddar Man really looked like, including the colour of his eyes, hair and skin. The end results were surprising, and went against the main misconception of the general public, who thought the first Brit probably had fair skin, blue eyes and looked a Viking!

After all the hard work done by everyone involved in this astonishing project, we are finally brought face to face with the first ever Brit! Looking at the unusual combination of his very dark skin, curly hair and piercing blue eyes, the results are definitely not what anybody has expected at all!

Artec 3D is extremely proud to have greatly contributed to this aspiring project, that will surely go down in history. We strive to create precise and reliable 3D scanning solutions, that have proven to be the go-to tools on multiple occasions, including the Cheddar Man project.

Image source: BBC.com

Watch the video to see the whole process around the discovery of the appearance of the first ever Brit!