Caroline Wilkinson facts for kids

Caroline M. Wilkinson (born 27 October 1965) is a British scientist. She is an expert in anthropology, which is the study of humans. Dr. Wilkinson is especially known for her work in forensic facial reconstruction. This means she can recreate faces from old skulls.

Since 2014, she has been a professor at Liverpool John Moores University. She is famous for helping to recreate the faces of historical figures. These include King Richard III of England and King Robert the Bruce of Scotland.

What is Forensic Facial Reconstruction?

Forensic facial reconstruction is a special skill. It uses science and art to rebuild a face. Scientists like Dr. Wilkinson use a skull to guess what a person looked like. They study the skull's shape and size. Then, they add muscles, skin, and other features. This helps to show what someone's face might have looked like when they were alive. It is often used to identify unknown remains. It can also help us see how people from history might have appeared.

Her Academic Journey

Caroline Wilkinson earned her PhD in facial anthropology in 2000. She studied at the University of Manchester. After that, she led a special unit there until 2005. This unit focused on art and medicine.

From 2005 to 2014, she taught at the University of Dundee. She worked in a special center for anatomy and human identification. By 2011, she became a professor there. She was in charge of identifying human faces and skulls.

You might have seen her on TV! She appeared on the BBC show Meet the Ancestors. She also helped on History Cold Case. These shows often featured her amazing facial reconstructions.

Famous Facial Reconstructions

Dr. Wilkinson has recreated many famous faces. Here are some of her most well-known projects:

King Richard III

In 2013, Dr. Wilkinson helped recreate the face of King Richard III. His remains were found under a car park. Scientists used DNA to confirm it was him. Dr. Wilkinson's work helped people see what this historical king might have looked like.

Saint Nicholas

In December 2013, she also recreated the face of Saint Nicholas. This is the historical figure who inspired Santa Claus. She used scientific knowledge of his skull. It showed that his nose had been broken and healed unevenly. This gave him a unique and rugged look.

King Robert the Bruce

In 2016, Dr. Wilkinson helped create faces for Robert the Bruce. He was a famous Scottish king. They made two versions of his face. One was a standard reconstruction. The other showed how he might have looked if he had suffered from leprosy.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Wilkinson has received many awards for her important work.

In 2012, she became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This is a very respected group of experts in Scotland. The next year, she won a prize from them. It was for sharing her scientific work with the public.

In 2014, she became a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute. This group focuses on the study of human societies and cultures.

In 2016, she received a special medal. It was from the Royal Photographic Society. This award recognized her great contributions to medical photography and imaging.

See also

In Spanish: Caroline Wilkinson para niños