3D facial reconstruction of Saint Ambrose unveiled in Milan

A 3D facial reconstruction of Saint Ambrose, the patron saint of Milan, has been completed by forensic scientists from the University of Milan. The polyurethane resin bust, based on anatomical analysis of the saint's skull, will be placed in the Chapel of San Vittore in Ciel d'Oro within the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio. The research was led by Cristina Cattaneo, professor of forensic medicine and director of the Laboratory of Anthropology and Forensic Odontology (LabAnOf), and Davide Porta, technical manager of the same lab. The reconstruction aims to provide the most accurate likeness of Ambrose, who was bishop of Milan in the 4th century. The project coincides with the 150th anniversary of the discovery of the skeletons of Saints Ambrose, Protasius, and Gervasius, and the December 7 feast day. Stefano Bruno Galli, Lombardy's councillor for Autonomy and Culture, praised the work, noting it enriches the celebration and encourages visits to the Basilica's museum. The reconstruction process involved placing thickness markers on the skull to guide muscle-by-muscle modeling, with input from visually impaired individuals to ensure accessibility for blind audiences. Cattaneo and Porta emphasized that the remains of saints can reveal unknown historical realities and should be shared as realistically as possible, including with the blind.