Scientists unveil real face of saint who inspired Santa Claus

Scientists say they’ve reconstructed the face of Saint Nicholas of Myra, the 4th-century bishop made famous for his care of children and gift giving. They used the latest forensic methods, taking data from his actual skull.

The reconstruction, led by Brazilian forensic facial expert Cicero Moraes, shows the saint with a broad forehead, thin lips, and a round nose. “The skull has a very robust appearance, generating a strong face, as its dimensions on the horizontal axis are larger than average,” Moraes told Pen News. “This characteristic, combined with a thick beard, is very reminiscent of the figure we have in mind when we think of Santa Claus.”

The research team’s assessments are striking in that they mirror traditional descriptions of Nicholas which were the basis of the famous 1923 poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Bone structure indicates he actually had high “rosy cheeks,” a “broad face” and a “nose like a cherry.”

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Saint Nicholas, who died in 343 A.D., was known for his generous gift-giving, particularly to kids. His life inspired the Dutch folk story of Sinterklaas, who later evolved into the modern-day story of Santa Claus.

The study revealed additional insights about the saint’s life. He suffered from chronic arthritis in his spine and pelvis, had a thick skull that likely caused frequent headaches, and maintained a largely plant-based diet. While originally buried in what is now Turkey, his remains rest today in Bari, Italy.

The reconstruction techniques included creating a 3D model using measurements and deformation techniques of the skull. “The final face is an interpolation of all this information, seeking anatomical and statistical coherence,” Moraes explained.

The study was published in OrtogOnLineMag, co-authored by Moraes, José Luís Lira, and Thiago Beaini.

–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice