A mysterious skull discovered at a historic site in Maidstone is currently undergoing investigations to unveil the secrets of its past. The cranium, found at this historic location, has been entrusted to the care of the Maidstone Museum and is set to be a centerpiece of the new archaeology gallery, slated to open next summer.
To delve into the enigma surrounding this ancient relic, the skull recently underwent a detailed CT scan at Maidstone Hospital on Hermitage Lane. This procedure took place after regular patient hours and was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the nuclear medicine department and dedicated volunteers.
The skull will be put on display at Maidstone Museum in St Faith's Street. Picture: Stock image
Councillor Claudine Russell, who serves as the cabinet member for communities, leisure, and arts at Maidstone council, expressed her fascination with the skull's potential to reveal a window into the past. She commented, "I am really intrigued to find out what this person may have looked like and when they lived. We are really grateful to Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust for their help with this exciting project. Maidstone Museum looks forward to welcoming visitors to the new gallery 'Lives In Our Landscape,' to discover more about the people who lived, thrived, and died in this area."
Samantha Harris, the museum's collections manager, brings her expertise in scanning from her work with Egyptian mummies at the museum. She noted, "The scanning of this skull in partnership with MTW NHS Trust is a great opportunity, using non-destructive techniques, to learn more about the individual when they were alive. Using the scans in conjunction with other scientific testing, we hope to bring them to life, thousands of years after their death."
The Swanscombe Skull found at Barnfield Pit, Swanscombe. Picture: Natural History Museum
During the CT scan, the skull was meticulously examined, capturing its surface in remarkable detail. This data will be handed over to FaceLab at Liverpool John Moores University, where experts will utilize it to recreate the appearance of the person to whom the skull once belonged. Visitors to the new gallery will have a unique opportunity to gaze upon the face of an individual who may have lived approximately 6000 years ago.
James Elliot, a senior lecturer in diagnostic radiography at Canterbury Christ Church University and an expert in forensics and archaeological imaging, emphasized the value of CT scans in creating a digital record of the deceased. He explained, "CT scans are an excellent tool to create a digital record of the deceased, providing an assessment of health as well as appearance." An interesting revelation during the scan was the identification of a bone lesion (tumor) within the frontal bone of the skull, its nature still under examination.
Maidstone Hospital in Hermitage Lane. Picture: Stock image
This process echoes a similar discovery in another part of Kent, known as the Swanscombe skull. Swanscombe is one of only two locations in Britain where actual human remains from this early period have been found. A fossilized human skull fragment was unearthed in Swanscombe in 1935, originally believed to be from a man but later confirmed as female.
The Maidstone Museum is set to exhibit this mysterious skull at its location on St Faith's Street, offering the public a captivating glimpse into the lives of ancient inhabitants of the region. As the researchers continue to unravel the mysteries surrounding the skull, it promises to be a remarkable addition to the rich tapestry of history in Maidstone.
