Death Masks

Before the advent of photography, one of the most effective ways of preserving authentic visages of the dead was through the creation of DEATH MASKS.

In this fascinating documentary, HISTORY™ reveals how some of history’s most notable figures left behind highly detailed casts of their faces, created at their moment of death, to capture and safeguard their physical memory for all eternity. Hear from experts in forensic science and anthropology, who use death masks to provide startling new insights into the persistent mysteries surrounding historic icons such as Julius Caesar, Abraham Lincoln, Napoleon Bonaparte, and George Washington—including details that some of these men might have preferred to conceal.

Using advanced facial-reconstruction techniques and 3-D imprint detailing, DEATH MASKS brings to life powerful images of well-known figures from history and examines how their facial features offer an intimate window into their lives.