So, the next time you see a reconstruction of some ancient person's face, be cautious before thinking that you are really looking at the exact, almost photographic likeness of someone from the past.

Pomeroy said the reconstruction helped “bridge that gap between anatomy and 75,000 years of time.” Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the nationality of the Kennis brothers.

Though 3D facial reconstruction can be attempted with the help of a computer, Nilsson prefers a hands-on approach. “I’ve been interested in faces for as long as I can remember,” he says.

A new facial reconstruction depicts a Neanderthal whose skeleton was found by priests in a French cave. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related: See the 'amazing' facial reconstruction of a Bronze Age woman discovered crouching in a 4,200-year-old grave The violent circumstances of her death led archaeologists to conclude that she ...