Bust of D. Dinis occupies a central place in the University of Coimbra
A equipa do Laboratório de Antropologia Forense marcou presença na inauguração da exposição sobre reconstrução do rosto de D. Dinis, no âmbito das celebrações do 735.º aniversário da Universidade de Coimbra (UC).
Da direita para a esquerda Inês Oliveira Santos, Catarina Coelho, David Navega, Maria Teresa Ferreira, Eugénia Cunha, Maria Antónia Amaral e Isabel Poiares Baptista.
The University of Coimbra (UC) celebrated its 735th anniversary with several notable moments, including the inauguration of the recreation of the bust of D. Dinis, the monarch responsible for founding the University in 1290. The 3D facial reconstruction, based on rigorous scientific studies, results from a multidisciplinary project involving archaeology, anthropology, genetics, imaging and history experts and can be visited in the UC Private Examination Room.
The project, coordinated by CFE researcher, Eugénia Cunha, was based on the exhumation of D. Dinis's skeleton, carried out at the São Dinis de Odivelas Monastery. Anthropological analyses, tomography scans and genetic sequencing followed, which made it possible to define characteristics such as bone structure, eye, skin and hair colour. The final reconstruction was performed by the Face Lab at Liverpool John Moores University in the United Kingdom. "What we can see today is not an artistic interpretation, but rather a reconstruction based on scientific evidence. It is the real face of D. Dinis, reconstructed based on concrete data, and not on the imagination of an artist", explained Eugénia Cunha, highlighting the innovative and interdisciplinary nature of the project.
The ceremony ended a celebration full of symbolism, reinforcing the University of Coimbra's connection to its founder.