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