You can now get an idea of ​​the awesome Parthenon In all its former glory thanks to a multi -year -old history and 3D computer modeling. University of Oxford Archaeologist Juan de Lara combined primary source information, astronomical data and CGI to digitally copy the old Greek pilgrimage location, because it resembled visitors who in 432 BC. The result offers a remarkable view of one of the greatest architectural performance of the Hellenistic period and presents a template to recreate digitally many other important historical locations for researchers, historians and museum visitors.
If the ruins of the Parthenon even seem 2500 years after the completion of the Parthenon, imagine how the temple was out at the peak of its influence. The construction of the 228-Bij-101 foot building ended in 438 BC, although it would take another six years for artisans to fully complete his decorations and artworks. While today there are only parts of the outdoor building, historical records describe a remarkable pilgrimage site dedicated to Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, crafts and warfare.
“Based on the data I have been able to collect, the visual experience of each temple – as well as the rituals that were performed in it – was considerably, depending on the deity that is worshiped, the origin of the cult and the geographical context of the temple,” ” The Lara explained In an interview of 6 May with Cambridge Core. “But from the fifth century BC and while we withdraw the Hellenistic period, there is a clear increase in a conscious staging of the religious experience.”
Central to the temple was an almost 40 -feet of the Divine protector of Athens designed by the renowned sculptor Phidias. Historical data indicates that the monument of the construction of Chryselefantine was, which means it was that Entertained from both gold and ivory. Previous studies of similar iconography suggest that the statue of Parthenon was built with the help of a technique in which ivory was rolled out and softening to create veneer that craftsmen were then glued together.
The surrounding temple structure was mainly built from marble and other stonework formed and polished to increase their inherent brightness. The statue was also positioned in a way, so that the water basins, windows and skylights of the Parthenon all further emphasized the grandeur of the deity.

Archaeological analysis indicates that employees generally have kept the interior of the Parthenon poorly lit in combination with burning abundant incense to promote a sense of awe and reverence. However, this atmosphere shifted every four summers during the Panathenaic Festival. During those days the statue of the geographical location of Athena and the corner caught the sunlight in a way to shine directly on its golden robes.
“Imagine you enter the Parthenon – your eyes, still tired of the bright sun outside, slowly adapted to the gradual darkness inside,” said the Lara Arkeonews. “While sunlight filters through the doorway of the temple, it touches the gold of the robes of the goddesses with a luminous vertical bar. This was the effect that the architects and Fidia’s were planning to create. It must have been magical.”
While the Lara has a special website for the Parthenon 3D Project, he hopes that his approach will inspire others to carry out similar recreations from other famous historical sights. These can then be integrated into museum exhibitions, as well as virtual reality headsets to approach an experience in the first person to see these miracles of the old world.