Hungary's Exhibition Revives the Lost Faces of Ancient Rome

WHO:

ABC News - Loránt Vass, an archaeologist and co-curator of the exhibition.

ABC News - Péter Vámos, another co-curator of the exhibition.

ABC News - Emese Gábor, who handcrafted the silicon reconstructions.

WHAT:

ABC News - A new exhibition in Budapest showcases detailed facial reconstructions of ancient residents from the Roman city of Aquincum.

ABC News - The exhibition features 16 reconstructions, including six silicon moldings that are painted and adorned with true-to-life hair, clothing, and jewelry.

ABC News - The exhibition runs until Oct. 31.

ABC News - One character named Respectus is depicted as a construction worker who suffered injuries in a tavern skirmish.

WHERE:

ABC News - The exhibition is held at the Aquincum Museum in Budapest, Hungary.

ABC News - Aquincum was a bustling Roman settlement located on the empire's Danube frontier.

WHEN:

ABC News - The exhibition is scheduled to run until Oct. 31.

WHY:

ABC News - The exhibition aims to bring ancient individuals closer to modern audiences and answer questions about their lives, appearances, and social status.

ABC News - The exhibition's title, “Once we were like you,” suggests a connection between ancient and modern people, highlighting shared occupations and problems.

HOW:

ABC News - Facial reconstructions were created using DNA analysis and techniques from archaeology and anthropology.

ABC News - The analysis of skulls revealed details about skin, hair, eye color, and physical characteristics, including age and injuries.

ABC News - The ethnic origins of individuals were determined through DNA analysis, revealing a diverse population including Romans, Celts, and nomadic Sarmatian tribes.

(UPDATED July 15, 2026 09:36 UTC)

A new exhibition in Budapest showcases detailed facial reconstructions of ancient residents from the Roman city of Aquincum, featuring 16 reconstructions, including six silicon moldings that are painted and adorned with true-to-life hair, clothing, and jewelry. Co-curators Loránt Vass and Péter Vámos, along with Emese Gábor, who handcrafted the reconstructions, aim to bring these ancient individuals closer to modern audiences, highlighting shared experiences and social status through the exhibition titled “Once we were like you.” The exhibition runs until October 31 at the Aquincum Museum, where visitors can learn about the diverse population of Romans, Celts, and nomadic Sarmatian tribes, as well as specific characters like Respectus, a construction worker depicted with injuries from a tavern skirmish.