Talks will open minds

Facial anthropologist Susan Hayes will give an insight into her world of analysing skulls and reconstructing faces at a talk in Karratha next week.

Dr Hayes, an honorary senior research fellow at the University of Wollongong’s Centre for Archaeological Science, specialises in facial approximation.

Facial approximation involves creating the likely facial appearance of deceased people based on what is known about the skull and its soft tissues.

Dr Hayes said she looked forward to the chance to tell people what she does and answer any questions they had about skulls.

“I will be talking about the difference in what I do as a scientist working with the skull and the face, to what you see on TV,” she said.

“It is a bit like (the TV show) Bones, I get a skull, analyse the skull and apply the evidence to form the face.”

“I started out moulding with clay like you see on TV but now I mostly use computer graphics.”

Dr Hayes said she had analysed more than 50 skulls from places including Argentina, Vanuatu and Scotland.

“I will have a series of replica skulls with me and people can see and touch them to gain an understanding that every skull is different just like people’s faces,” she said.

Dr Hayes will be speaking at the Karratha Community Library next Thursday from 5.30-6.30pm. Bookings are essential and can be made by calling the library on 9186 8660.