Olivia Dalessandro
Forensic Art & Facial Imaging MSc
The Shaheeds of Omdurman: craniofacial reconstructions of Sudanese Mahdist fighters from the Battle of Omdurman, 1898.
About
"The Shaheeds of Omdurman" presents two craniofacial reconstructions of Sudanese Mahdist fighters who bravely fought against British forces in 1898. Under their Islamic faith, these fighters are known as Shaheeds, a title given to martyrs. Despite deserving a specific burial tradition, their skulls were instead separated from them and donated to the University of Edinburgh Anatomical Museum in 1901. The reconstructions, 2D digital and 3D sculpted, employ the latest scientific standards in forensic facial reconstruction, using their skulls to approximate their appearance in life. This collaborative project with the Sudanese Community in Edinburgh aims to pay visual tribute and honour their memory, fostering a connection with their past and restoring a sense of dignity.
Shaheed II
Progress and final image of digital 2D reconstruction of Shaheed II
Shaheed I
Progress and final image of 3D reconstruction of Shaheed I
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I am a forensic artist specializing in facial reconstruction, blending my background in history and linguistics with artistic skills in traditional and digital media. I share the progress of my work, along with insights into the scientific processes involved, on my Instagram.