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