Scientists re-create 'original Santa's' face with 3D technology

Scientists have recreated the original Santa Claus' face using a facial reconstruction system and 3D interactive technology.

St. Nicholas, whose 1,600-year-old face has been recreated by to a pair of researchers working in the "face lab" at Liverpool John Moores University 's School of Art and Design, has proved that the original Santa Claus didn't actually have his trademark white beard, Washington Post reported.

A 4th century bishop with a reputation for clandestine gifting, St. Nicholas relics can be still be found in Bari Cathedral in Italy, which has been a shrine since his death in the year 343. Caroline Wilkinson and Mark Roughley developed an image of Nicholas using "all the skeletal and historical material available".

The researchers said that the information was fed into a facial reconstruction system and recreated using 3D interactive technology. The recreation even included Nicholas' "severely" broken nose, giving him a slightly offset visage with a "rugged facial appearance".