Timeline of Investigation
This is a timeline of the major milestones in the Sleeping Beauty Project.
1983
Tocco, Italy
Human remains are discovered in a necropolis in the side of a hill on the estate of a local family, the Bonn Anni family, near a tiny town called Tocco, Italy during an excavation by a local landscaper. Due to the artefacts around them, and placement in the necropolis, it is surmised the remains are an ancient person.
1990
Tocco Museum, Italy
The ancient remains of the human skeleton are placed in a glass case in the town's tiny Museum in keeping with some traditions of preservation. All that is known is that she is a woman, estimated to be from Roman times, but very little else. Many locals are unaware that they have a Museum, or know much about their "Sleeping Beauty".
2019
Tocco, Italy
Janine D'Angelo Crowley, is a former criminologist/geneologist who has retired to Tocco following the tragic death of her son. After a few years as a local resident, she first comes across "the girl in the glass case" by accident. She recollects being "drawn to the bones", as if called to them. She begins the search to uncover who the ancient person may be and what her story may reveal about why she is laid to rest in a glass case, and how she may be returned to her resting place.
2019
University of Chieti, Italy
Janine contacts Professor Ruggerio D'Anastasio, a respected paleoarcheologist to examine the skeleton on site. He takes the skull to his University to conduct a MRI of the skull. This scan confirms she is female, likely had two children, and suffered from a tooth abscess.
No clear cause of death nor age of the remains can be ascertained without further tests.
2020
Zoom across the World
During the pandemic, Janine assembles a suite of forensic and historical experts and joins forces with Studio F, a podcast studio & research lab to begin narrating a podcast with co host Anna Reeves, a former lawyer, and researcher to record the journey and findings.
2020
Macedon Australia
Janine formally engages forensic sculptor, Jennifer Mann to recreate the face of the ancient person as a sculpture, which will also be dedicated to Janine's sons to connect them to their heritage and donated to the Museum.
2020
VIFM, Melbourne Australia
The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) creates a 3D printed image of skull of "Sleeping Beauty" based on the CT scan data from Professor D' Anastasio, on which Jennifer commences Phase 1 of the facial reconstruction. She applies her own unique techniques based on her experience as a portrait sculptor and extensive training in the US with an internationally renowned expert at the Forensic Anthropology Centre at Texas State University, and anatomical studies in the UK at the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification at Dundee University.
2021
Salerno University Lab, Italy
DNA sample of the remains are taken for examination. A carbon isotope test is completed to confirm to ascertain exact age of the remains, but the sample becomes too degraded and contaminated to get an accurate reading and has to be resubmitted.
2022
University of Warwick, UK
Raffaella Bianucci, Senior Researcher at University of Warwick and co founder of the Human Embalming Project is approached to examine a sample of the remains to establish the diet and disease patterns for this ancient person.
2022
Macedon, Australia
Jennifer Mann, forensic sculptor, completes Phase 2 of the facial reconstruction, based on expert forensic analysis from Professor D’Anastasio at the University of Chieti and forensic experts at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. These analyses provided data to determine approximate age of the individual at the time of death, sex and any other indications of health conditions indicated by the skull that would affect the appearance of the person in life.
2022
Melbourne, Australia
Whilst waiting further results of more tests, the team speak with First Nations experts in relation to the processes for repatriation of remains for ancestors.
2022
Italy/Australia
Carbon isotope analysis dating results confirm Sleeping Beauty lived in c.175 BCE. Phase 3 of the facial reconstruction is able to be completed by Jennifer. The final hairstyle and jewellery of Sleeping Beauty can now be determined to reflect her historical period. A jewellery designer is approached to create a Roman style necklace for the sculpture.
2023
Brisbane, Australia
The team approaches DNA profilers to see if there are any genetic markers matching the Sleeping Beauty to modern people. Upon full DNA profile completion, the database will be compared to genealogical studies worldwide. It is decided the DNA cross matching will be conducted for volunteer participants from the genealogical sample of Sleeping Beauty's possible descendants to commence in 2024.
2023
Tocco, Italy
The Sleeping Beauty of Tocco Exhibit consisting of the facial reconstruction sculpture and interactive installation are prepared for installation at the Tocco Museum.
2024
Tocco, Italy
The Sleeping Beauty of Tocco story is released to the world.