The Gallo-Roman Museum in Tongeren (Tongeren-Borgloon) is the first museum to exhibit a facial reconstruction of Mos' Anne. Mos' Anne is a reconstruction of a woman who lived in the Valley of the River Maas 10,500 years ago. The reconstruction was made using DNA samples from skeletal remains found in a cave near Dinant (Wallonia) in 1988. Mos' Anne can be admired in the museum's permanent exhibition until 19 October.
10,000-year-old Maas Valley woman exhibited for the first time at Gallo-Roman Museum
Colin Clapson
Published:
The name Mos' Anne refers to the French name for the Maas Valley, the place where she was found in the Margaux Cave near the city of Dinant. In 1988, a dozen skeletons of women from the Mesolithic period were found in this cave. Also known as the Middle Stone Age or the time of the last hunter-gatherers in Belgium, approximately 11,500 to 7,500 years ago.
A few years ago, Ghent University launched a study to learn more about the lifestyle of the last hunter-gatherers. Researchers discovered that fishing was very important and that these people moved from one camp to another depending on the season. The researchers also succeeded in obtaining DNA samples from the skull of a woman who lived at that time.
Thanks to the DNA samples, it was possible to reconstruct the woman using a 3D printer. The facial reconstruction is the work of Dutch twin brothers Alfons and Adrie Kennis, who have been creating lifelike reconstructions of prehistoric humans and animals for decades.
‘She is a middle-aged woman with dark brown hair worn up, bright blue eyes and a tanned skin,’ is how Prof Isabelle De Groote, who led the research, describes Mos' Anne. "She will be on display at various locations in Belgium over the coming months, but the city of Tongeren is the first to receive this honour".
Research not yet complete
‘The fact that we are now exhibiting the reconstruction certainly does not mean that our research is complete,’ says the professor. ‘We want to find out much more. For example, whether all the women in the Margaux cave had a connection with each other or not. There are also many other places where remains from the Mesolithic period have been found. Belgium has a richer heritage from this period than neighbouring countries.’
Alderman for Tourism An Christiaens believes it is important that recent scientific research is given a place in the museum. ‘The core task of our museum is to tell the story of our history. Thanks to scientific research, we are learning more and more, and it is also important to share these latest insights with our visitors.’
Mos' Anne can be admired from tomorrow until 19 October in the permanent exhibition of the Gallo-Roman Museum .