The woman's bones, including a skull and teeth
The reconstructed face of 'Ava', a Bronze Age woman who lived in present-day Scotland, around 3700 years ago... The woman's bones, including a skull and teeth , were discovered at Achavanich in Caithness in 1987. Known as "Ava", an abbreviation of Achavanich, she is the subject of a long-term research project managed by archaeologist Maya Hoole. Forensic artist Hew Morrison, a graduate of University of Dundee, created the reconstruction, using specialist software. Ava's remains, along with other artefacts found with her, are held in the care of Caithness Horizons museum in Thurso. Unusually, the Bronze Age woman was buried in a pit dug into solid rock and her skull is an abnormal shape which some suggest was the result of deliberate binding. It is believed Ava was part of a much wider European group known as the Beaker people. Short and round skull shapes were common amongst this group, but Ms Hoole said the Achavanich specimen is exaggerated and of an abnorma...