A part of a skull thought to belong to a combatant at the battle of Culloden has been turned into a digital 3D model.

It is unknown which side the skull’s owner fought for at the battle in April 1746, but is considered to be the only remains confirmed as coming from Culloden.

The skull fragment was part of a large collection of more than 3,000 items purchased from leading Scottish surgeon Sir Charles Bell in 1825 and has resided with the The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh for many years.

The 3D model was recreated using overlapping digital photography in a process called photogrammetry. It means archaeologists and scientists can examine the skull without it having to leave the care of The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Battle of Culloden Skull by NTS Archaeology on Sketchfab