An Indigenous woman’s face who lived in Colombia’s Aburra Valley approximately 1,600 years ago was recently reconstructed by archaeologists. The discovery, made in what is now the city of Envigado (Antioquia), was presented to the public during the Metropolitan Forum “Somos Patrimonio,” alongside the premiere of the documentary “Ella, una mirada ancestral” (“She, an Ancestral Gaze”). This initiative not only combines science, art, and memory but also offers a window into the life and customs of the region’s earliest inhabitants.
Facial reconstruction of a 1,600-year-old Indigenous woman’s in Colombia
The remains of this woman were discovered in 2006 at La Argentina farm, now the Alamanda residential complex in Envigado. Since then, an interdisciplinary team of archaeologists, anthropologists, and forensic artists has worked to restore her visual identity. Through forensic facial reconstruction techniques, ancient DNA analysis, and cultural context studies, experts were able to recreate with remarkable precision the face that had remained hidden beneath the earth for centuries.
The process was long and meticulous. Every feature from the shape of her cheekbones to the texture of her skin was modeled based on scientific data. According to researchers, the woman was between 25 and 30 years old at the time of her death and belonged to an Indigenous community that inhabited the Aburra Valley long before the arrival of the Spanish. Her diet consisted mainly of corn, tubers, and medicinal herbs, and her way of life was deeply connected to nature.
The documentary “Ella, una mirada ancestral”, premiered on Sept. 18, 2025, at Teatro Otraparte, tells the step-by-step story of this reconstruction process and the emotional impact it had on the research team. The images of her reconstructed face allow viewers to look into the eyes of a woman who lived nearly two millennia ago, yet whose presence remains alive in the cultural DNA of the region.
Who was the Indigenous woman?
Studies suggest that this woman may have held an important role within her community. The objects found alongside her remains — fragments of pottery, seeds, and ritual tools — indicate that she might have been a healer or spiritual leader, devoted to the use of medicinal plants and the preservation of ancestral knowledge.
Her reconstruction is not only an exercise in visual archaeology but also an act of cultural reclamation. By giving her a face, researchers aim to rescue from oblivion the stories of the communities that shaped the identity of both Antioquia and Colombia. As the team behind the project noted: “It’s not only about studying the past but about recognizing ourselves within it.”
The project is part of a broader effort to preserve and promote the archaeological heritage of the Aburra Valley. In 2026, an exhibition featuring more than 20,000 archaeological pieces will open in Envigado, many of which are linked to this same ancestral culture. The facial reconstruction will serve as the central piece of the exhibition, allowing the public to closely observe the living history of the region.
This interdisciplinary work positions Colombia as a regional leader in archaeological research in Latin America, blending scientific rigor with cultural reflection and reaffirming the country’s deep connection to its ancestral roots.