Facial reconstructions have a way of making the subjects feel more human and less like a name on a page. It makes it a lot easier to connect with the history.
Absolutely this. That's why I say it's also a little spooky.
I mean, take Richard III. That's as close as we'll ever get to seeing him in person. Take everything you've read about him, heard about him, seen about him and suddenly: there he is. He steps out of legend so to speak and becomes a real man, just like you or me (well, if you or I were the King of England, I suppose
). It's like you're face-to-face with him. It's a surreal feeling. At least for me it is.