There’s been a few facial reconstructions of the ancient species of hominin, Homo floresiensis, which was discovered on the Indonesian island of Flores in 2003.

This latest one was created by UOW facial anthropologist Dr Susan Hayes who has a background in forensic science, and who late last year worked with Sydney homicide police to put a face to the remains of a young woman found in the Belanglo State Forest. The woman is yet to be identified.

Dr Hayes said applying her facial approximation technique to an archaic hominin was an extraordinary challenge.

‘‘She’s taken me a bit longer than I’d anticipated, has caused more than a few headaches along the way, but I’m pleased with both the methodological development and the final results,’’ she said.

‘‘She’s not what you’d call pretty, but she is definitely distinctive.’’

More than 400 participants will be involved in the conference, which is being held at the Novotel Northbeach until Thursday.