Gallery of reconstructed portraits
Forgeries
A lekythos (oil flask) with decorations in red figure style, at display in the archaeological museum of Discendo, Southern Italy. The flask originates from Classical Greece (mid 5th century bce), presumably Attika. The representation of the human figure could well be a portrait of a researcher; perhaps historian Herodotos.
Manuscript illumination on parchment in the so-called Psalterium Panificis. It's most likely a portrait of Frankish King and Emperor Charlemagne. The psalter was made by clergymen at his court in Aachen shortly after 800 ce and contains some fine examples of early Carolingian art. The university of Freiburg is preparing a digital facsimile of all 324 pages.
Stone carving, which was recently discovered near Qassiarsuk (former Brattahlid) in the south of Greenland. Investigators assume that the image represents Norseman Leif Ericsson and it may have been created about the year 1000 ce to commemorate the founding of the Vinland colony. The rock with the 2.5 m. high image is to become an attraction for tourists. The Kujalleq district is planning a visitor centre to be built nearby.
Felt carpet, which turned up from the estate of a Romanian high official, the late Mr Brutaru. His heirs insist that the carpet contains the image of Attila the Hun. Cautious experts reject that claim, but carbon dating proved that the fabric originates from the 1st half of the 5th century ce. The matter is still under investigation.
Both the pictures and the captions were forged.