Saturday, September 18, 2021

Faces

One of the additions into the Canadian History Hall since its reorganization in 2017 is a video display of faces of the past. The community of shishalh, near Vancouver, was the site of collaboration between archaeologists and the tribe, who uncovered the remains of a family that had died some four thousand years ago. Digitally reconstructed faces using 3D scanning now stare out across time on a screen; they look at us, they blink, they breathe, and their faces shift position. Following the work done with researching the remains, the bodies were returned to the community for reburial.


Nearby stands a contemporary version of a longstanding Indigenous tradition, the birchbark canoe. The one displayed here was built in 2015 by Mik'maq elder Todd Labrador.


Another face of the past, this time reproduced as a full model, life sized. The Museum and the Inuit community of Arctic Bay collaborated on a reconstruction, based on a skeleton, of a man who lived on Baffin Island eight centuries ago. Replicas of his tool kit are displayed as well. He's been given the name Nuvumiutuq. We'll pick up here tomorrow.

34 comments:

  1. William - technology is not always our friend, but I love how they were able to use it to bring the past into now!

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  2. Clever use of technology, but I think I'd feel self-conscious having something so life-like staring back at me!

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  3. If the reconstruction is accurate they were very handsome people.

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  4. It is impressive what they can do now.
    I love the canoe. Have a great weekend!

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  5. @Angie: it is a creative technique.

    @John: it feels a bit spooky.

    @Marleen: I think so.

    @David: I agree.

    @Jan: it is.

    @Francisco: thanks.

    @Eileen: I love it too.

    @Tom: definitely.

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  6. Nos miran desde el pasado y nosotros a través de ellos, sabemos más de esta civilización.

    🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️

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  7. Those first people faces are filled with character ~ great display too ~

    Living in the moment,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  8. Amazing what technology can do today.

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  9. I agree with what the others said, very impressive today's technology, extremely life like.

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  10. Amazing, both the faces and the canoes.

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  11. What a great exhibit to see that ancient family like that. Thank you for sharing.

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  12. Four thousand years??? That has to be amazing to see.

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  13. I notice the heavy brow ridge. It is still around in some faces, but not all any more.

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  14. The canoes are beautiful - works of art.

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  15. i always wish that i could use their kayak and see what it might ride like compared to mine. i wonder??! very cool. have a great weekend. ( ;

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  16. The realism is even more stunning in your photos.

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  17. Those first four images are haunting.

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  18. I like this display, especially the kayaker and his autobiography of an eventful life.

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  19. They were probably more intelligent than we are now...

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  20. Those faces! Really brings history to life and a greater understanding. This is a great addition to the Museum.

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  21. @anvilcloud: they make an impression.

    @RedPat: very much so.

    @Ventana: thank you.

    @Carol: lots of character.

    @Red: it is indeed.

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  22. @Gill: very much so.

    @Bill: I think so.

    @Marie: you're welcome.

    @Sharon: across the mists of time.

    @DJan: it is an interesting touch.

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  23. @happyone: that they are.

    @Beth: built to last.

    @Maywyn: thank you.

    @Tammie: they are.

    @Gemel: I agree.

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  24. @Joanne: indeed.

    @Cloudia: thanks.

    @Iris: at the very least they'd be better at survival than most of us.

    @Jennifer: that is the effect.

    @Jeanie: definitely.

    @Sallie: that it is.

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