Association for Academic Development
The significance of local communities in safeguarding historical monuments can be observed across various locations in Serbia. One such example, built on the outskirts of Niš in 1809, still stands today. The Skull Tower (Ćele-kula), a quadrilateral structure, is a tower made from the skulls of fallen Serbian soldiers after the Battle of Čegar, where they clashed with the Ottoman army. The monument is distinct for the skulls embedded in mortar and sand. While most of the skulls (originally 952 when the tower was constructed) were later removed and buried in cemeteries, 58 skulls remain preserved in the structure today.
The tower was originally located at the entrance to Niš, not far from the Stambol Gate. After the liberation of Niš in 1878, local citizens raised funds to construct a canopy and fence around the tower. A few decades later, in 1892, additional funds were collected to build a chapel over the entire structure to protect it from external damage.
To bring the personalities behind this significant historical event to life, a team of scientists from Spain, Italy, Montenegro, and Serbia developed a project called The New Face of the Skull Tower. This project focuses on analyzing the skulls with the aim of reconstructing the faces through non-invasive methods, including observation, measurements, and photography. The initiative also includes plans for 3D scanning of the entire Skull Tower as well as each skull within the structure. Physical anthropologist Nataša Šarkić and forensic facial reconstruction expert Professor Fabio Cavalli are conducting detailed anthropological analyses to answer numerous questions, such as what illnesses these individuals may have suffered from, how they lived, and their ages at the time of death.
The New Face of the Skull Tower holds great significance at both the local and national levels. Reviving the past and uncovering new information about the heroes of Čegar will contribute to the region’s history, spark curiosity among the public, and inspire other researchers to pursue new scientific endeavors.The project has been primarily supported by the residents of Niš and Serbia, whose donations made the realization of The New Face of the Skull Tower possible. It has also received backing from the Republic Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments in Belgrade, the National Museum of Niš, and the educational archaeology-focused website Sve o arheologiji. The New Face of the Ćele-kula project is led by the Association for Academic Development (DAR) from Belgrade, with the help and cooperation of individuals and institutions.
