Researchers have digitally reconstructed the face of an 18th-century “witch” who died in jail before she could be burned.
The face of an 18th-century “witch” who died in jail before she could be burned for her “crimes” has been digitally reconstructed.
Lilias Adie, from Torryburn, Fife, died in 1704 while held in prison for her “confessed” crimes of being a witch and having sex with the devil.
BBC Radio Scotland’s Time Travels program has now unmasked her face by working with a forensic artist at the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification at the University of Dundee.
The team believes it is likely to be the only accurate likeness of a Scottish “witch” in existence as most were burned, destroying any hope of reconstructing their faces from skulls.
Presenter Susan Morrison said: “It was a truly eerie moment when the face of Lilias suddenly appeared.
“Here was the face of a woman you could have a chat with, though knowing her story it was a wee bit difficult to look her in the eye.”
Dr Christopher Rynn, who carried out the work using state-of-the-art 3D virtual sculpture, said: “When the reconstruction is up to the skin layer, it’s a bit like meeting somebody and they begin to remind you of people you know, as you’re tweaking the facial expression and adding photographic textures.
“There was nothing in Lilias’ story that suggested to me that nowadays she would be considered as anything other than a victim of horrible circumstances, so I saw no reason to pull the face into an unpleasant or mean expression and she ended up having quite a kind face, quite naturally.”
Ms Adie had been sentenced to be burned to death but died in prison beforehand, with one theory being she committed suicide.
The records of her accusers paint a picture of a woman, possibly in her 60s, who may have been frail for some time, with failing eyesight.
They also suggest a woman who showed courage in holding off her accusers and their demands for the names of others to interrogate and kill.
Program historian Louise Yeoman added: “I think she was a very clever and inventive person. The point of the interrogation and its cruelties was to get names.
“It’s sad to think her neighbours expected some terrifying monster when she was actually an innocent person who’d suffered terribly. The only thing that’s monstrous here is the miscarriage of justice.”
Source AAP
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