A Face from Amsterdam’s Earliest Days This facial reconstruction was created to mark the 750th anniversary of Amsterdam—an occasion celebrated on a grand scale and one that also attracted the interest of the Dutch Royal Family.

The remains of what is considered the earliest known Amsterdammer were discovered beneath the Oude Kerk. Although the stone church had not yet been built at the time of his burial, it is likely that a wooden chapel once stood on the site. The excavation took place in 1963. Unfortunately, the skull was lost in the decades that followed, meaning the reconstruction had to rely on the professional photographs taken in the lab at the time. New Insights from Scientific Research Recent specialized analysis of the surviving bones has provided remarkable insights into his life. His diet consisted mainly of plants and meat—surprisingly, no fish, despite living near the mouth of the Amstel River. There is also evidence that he suffered from lung infections. Particularly intriguing is the discovery of traces of salicylic acid, a natural compound found in willow bark and leaves. This suggests he may have used a medieval form of “aspirin” to treat fever and inflammation. Further clues come from markings in his tooth enamel, indicating that he endured a period of serious illness and/or malnutrition during early childhood. Naming the First Amsterdammer The public was invited to choose from five possible names and selected Alewijn. Nico (after Nicolaas, the city’s patron saint), Pier, Adam (a reference to Amsterdam as well as the first man in the Bible), and Otto all lagged far behind in the vote.