CAIRO: The face of Egypt’s ancient Queen Nefertiti has been brought to life using a 3D imaging technology by scientists at a UK university.
It took 500 hours to recreate the bust, while the necklace was handcrafted by designers from Dior, local and international media outlets reported.
But the color of the queen’s skin has raised controversy, with some arguing that she would have been darker in reality.
The reconstruction was undertaken by scientists from the University of Bristol who digitally painted the ancient queen to embody her true features.
Before the painting work, the photographer, Idan Dodson received permission from the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities and the Egyptian Museum to remove the protective glass case that covers the Nefertiti mummy to examine it.
The digitally mapped face will be aired on US Travel Channel’s Expedition Unknown.
The 3,400-year-old queen ruled Egypt from 1353 to 1336 BC and is thought to be the mother of King Tutankhamun.
Skin color deemed ‘too fair’ in 3D reconstruction of Egypt’s Queen Nefertiti
Skin color deemed ‘too fair’ in 3D reconstruction of Egypt’s Queen Nefertiti
Syrian Democratic Forces withdraws from east of Aleppo
RIYADH: Syrian Democratic Forces have withdrawn from positions east of Aleppo, according to SDF head Mazloum Abdi.
He announced Friday that SDF will withdraw from east of Aleppo at 7 AM local time on Saturday and redeploy them to areas east of the Euphrates, citing calls from friendly countries and mediators.
Hours earlier, a U.S. military designation had visited Deir Hafer and met with SDF officials in an apparent attempt to tamp down tensions.
The U.S. has good relations with both sides and has urged calm. A spokesperson for the U.S. military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Shortly before Abdi’s announcement, interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa had announced issuance of a decree strengthening Kurdish rights.
A wave of displacement
Earlier in the day, hundreds of people carrying their belongings arrived in government-held areas in northern Syria ahead of the anticipated offensive by Syrian troops on territory held by Kurdish-led fighters.
Many of the civilians who fled were seen using side roads to reach government-held areas because the main highway was blocked at a checkpoint in the town of Deir Hafer controlled by the SDF.
The Syrian army said late Wednesday that civilians would be able to evacuate through the “humanitarian corridor” from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and then extended the evacuation period another day, saying the SDF had stopped civilians from leaving.
There had been limited exchanges of fire between the two sides in the area before that.
Men, women and children arrived on the government side of the line in cars and pickup trucks that were packed with bags of clothes, mattresses and other belongings. They were met by local officials who directed them to shelters.
* with input from Reuters, AP
