| A team of experts have developed a digital | | | | state of our knowledge (and implicitly, of our |
| computer model of the ancient city in 320AD, | | | | ignorance) about the urban topography of ancient |
| bring the past a little closer to the present. | | | | Rome at various periods of time.' |
| Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was the | | | | The $2 million project at this early stage, allows |
| technology that has scientists, archaeologists, | | | | viewers to navigate their way around the city by |
| historians and computer game fans excited all at | | | | using simple keyboard controlls. They can enter |
| once. An international team of experts has | | | | buildings including the Colosseum, the Senate, the |
| unveiled a 'virtual Rome' program, the worlds | | | | Forum and Temple of Venus, even private |
| biggest and most complex computer simulation of | | | | residences to examine details of the interior |
| what the ancient city was like in 320 AD, under | | | | including frescoes and decorative details of the |
| the rule of Constantine. An era considered to be | | | | buildings. |
| the most powerful peak Rome experienced during | | | | At the Colosseum for example, the arena floor, |
| ancient times. | | | | and seating areas can be viewed, as well as the |
| The project, a culmination of ten years of work | | | | underground chambers onced used to house wild |
| and a collaberation of experts in architecture, | | | | animals caught and stabled for public events such |
| archaeology and computer programmers from | | | | as gladiator matches. One can even view the |
| the United States, Italy, Germany and the United | | | | operation of elevators used to move the animals |
| Kingdom, was introduced in June this year under | | | | into the area from their holding cells. |
| the title of 'Rome Reborn'. It's a digital, interractive | | | | Selected sites are accompanied by text |
| model of the city that features more than 7,000 | | | | descriptions about details of the site such as it's |
| buildings and structures, which the viewer can | | | | history and structural points of interest, which can |
| enter and explore in real-time 3D animation. | | | | also be expanded as new information comes to |
| At the unveiling, Bernard Frischer, project | | | | hand. |
| deveoper said 'This is the first step in the creation | | | | Developers have pointed to several uses for the |
| of a virtual time machine, which our children and | | | | program, which is already available to industry |
| grandchildren will use to study the history of | | | | proffesionals for further research and study. |
| Rome and many other great cities around the | | | | According to Frischer, '3D modeling is the natural |
| world.' | | | | evolution of archaeological research, allowing |
| The mayor of Rome, Walter Veltroni has also | | | | possibilities for studies on light accoustics, and |
| praised the project, saying 'It's a fascinating | | | | ventilation, and other aspects of structural |
| experience, re-created with all the necessary | | | | engineering techniques used in ancient times.' |
| historical and philological care. In other words, it will | | | | He explains that even for the experts who's life |
| allow us to to be in the Roman Forum and | | | | work involves the study and analysis of ancient |
| understand the context we are in.' | | | | cities, viewing their project sites in 3D forces |
| To create the program, digital pictures were | | | | them to consider details like this about the sites |
| taken of the Plastico di Roma Antica, a 16 x 17 | | | | that they havent in the past. |
| meter sized plaster model which was built in | | | | A purpose built theatre at the UCLA provides |
| 1934-74 and is currently on display at the | | | | access to the model on a 24 x 9ft screen that |
| Museum of Roman Civilization. These images were | | | | gives 160 degree views of the program when |
| combined with information from laser scans taken | | | | viewed with 3D glasses, but those of us at home |
| of whats left of the remains of these buildings | | | | interested in the project can view samples of the |
| today. Ancient maps and building catalogues were | | | | simulation through the internet. The developers |
| also used by the project developers to reproduce | | | | hope that the project will expand to include other |
| buildings like apartments, houses, and shops as | | | | ancient cities around the world, and be available |
| accurately as possible. | | | | for purposes like education, and even commercial |
| Each site that features in the program is | | | | uses like a 'home study' kit for tourists planning a |
| accredited by independant 'recognised authorities'. | | | | visit to Rome, interested in the history of the city. |
| These authorities are historians and archaeologists | | | | Plans are already in place to make the model |
| who have worked on each particular site over | | | | available for viewing at an orientation centre |
| many years and are considered industry experts, | | | | opposite the Colosseum in the near future. In the |
| to ensure these ancient sites are portrayed | | | | mean time, the team is focusing on developing |
| accurately, according to the evidence which exists | | | | the Rome model earlier and later in time, from as |
| to date. | | | | early as the Bronze Age up to the Gothic Wars. |
| The project website expains however, that the | | | | With sponsors like Intel and Microsoft funding the |
| project has been produced in such a way that it | | | | development of the project, chances are it wont |
| can be updated should future evidence or | | | | be long before time travel will be possible for the |
| archaeological findings determine innaccuracies in | | | | average family, at least through your TV or |
| the model. 'The model is a representation of the | | | | computer screen, that is. |