Methods
Gay Malin's Sculpture and Printmaking
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Sculpture and Printmaking METHODOLOGY I: Tissue depth markers There are two methods currently in use in creating a facial reconstruction. One is the use of tissue depth markers and the other is to sculpt in the underlying muscles and fat pads that affect the surface of the face. Combined with what we learned from the physical anthropology report, we were then in possession all the available information. I will explain the tissue depth method on this page and follow-up with the anatomical method on the next. The use of tissue depth markers has been around for quite some time. Charts have been created showing the average amount of flesh found on different points of the skull. Originally the depths were measured either by taking a needle which had been burnt to create soot on one end and inserting it into a face until it reached bone. When removed, the portion of the needle that showed no soot was then measured and entered into a chart. Using the same points on numerous individuals, charts were then created showing average depths with consideration given to race, sex and weight. Sometimes cadavers were used instead. Today, the use of ultrasound allows a more accurate gathering of information. The pitfalls to using this system are many. First of all, the information is averaged out, and since you don't know if the individual you are reconstructing is average, you could be off. Secondly, the face can get terribly skewed if your skull is very small (such as Pearl) or large, such as a Neanderthal. Finally, people might just think they could then "connect the dots" and come up with a reasonable likeness. I like to use the depth markers as a basic guideline, adapting it for each situation. Since Pearl was a very tiny skull, I used the markers for a thin person, knowing that I wouldn't go below that depth. Next page (Anatomical method) Previous page Back to home page