Scientists regenerate face of ancient Egyptian monarch, 'the richest man in history'

After 3,400 years of his passing, an Egyptian monarchregarded as 'the wealthiest man in history' has had his face recreated by scientists.

According to a New York Post report, this is the first time Tutenkhamun's ancestor, Amenhotep III, has had his face restored. At the height of Egypt's supremacy in the 14th century BC, Amenhotep III ruled and was revered as a living god. He guided the nation through a time of immense wealth and global dominance. With more surviving statues than any previous pharaoh, Amenhotep III is regarded as one of the greatest.

How did scientists recreate Amenhotep III's face?

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According to a New York Post report, this is the first time in 3,400 years that the face of Amenhotep III, the grandfather of Tutenkhamun, has been recreated.

Using information from his mummy's skull, an international team was able to reconstruct Amenhotep III's true features. Then, they estimated the size and location of his lips, ears, eyes, and nose using information from living donors.

"If we are not mistaken, this is the first facial approximation of Amenhotep III. It is our gift to all those who appreciate history," the Post quoted Brazilian graphics designer Cicero Moraes, who resurrected the famous Pharaoh's face.

"We were amazed with the final result; seeing a complete bust with these colours and the facial serenity is quite satisfying. Compared to other approximations of pharaohs that I have participated in, this was the most complete too, as we modelled the clothes and accessories," Moraes added.

Amenhotep believed that the sun and air deity Amun was his true father, thus the name Amenhotep. He engaged in large construction projects in Nubia and Egypt.

Amenhotep III was described by the expert as an almost bald guy with dental issues who was fat, ill, and inactive. At five feet and 156 centimeters, he is among the shortest of all the monarchs.

"There are speculations that the mummy of Amenhotep III may have been entirely covered with gold leaf, so that he must have looked like a statue of a god," Michael Habicht, an archaeologist at Flinders University in Australia was quoted saying by the New York Post.

"He might well have been one of the richest men that ever lived, at least in his epoch," remarked DrHabicht.

He passed away in 1352 BC at the age of 40 or 50.

(With inputs from agencies)