Expedition Overview
In 2003, students and faculty from the Research Center for the Development of Integrated Automatic Procedures for Restoration of Monuments (DIAPReM) and the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Ferrara collaborated with the Soprintendenza Archeologica di Pompeii to execute a digital documentation of the Forum. The detailed digital documentation of the site, collected through survey, LiDAR and photogrammetry was used to create a precisely detailed model for the purposes of cultural resource management and visualization. The project was funded by the University of Ferrara and the Kacyra Family Foundation.
Introducing Pompeii
Inhabited since at least 700 BCE, the ancient town of Pompeii located near modern day Naples, Italy was conquered and absorbed into the Roman empire in 80 BCE. At its height, the small city had a thriving economy based on trade and agriculture, which supported a population estimated between 10,000 to 20,000 people. The city, which featured a complex municipal water system, an amphitheater and gymnasium was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 79 CE. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius resulted in its burial with 4 to 6 meters of volcanic ash and pumice. While the eruption killed everyone living at Pompeii at the time, it impeccably preserved the elaborate city.
Temple of Jupiter
The temple of Jupiter located at the North end of the forum, dates back to the second century BC and was originally dedicated solely to Jupiter. When Pompeii became a Roman colony in 80 BC, the temple was enlarged and dedicated to the Capitoline Triad of Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva, a common practice in towns newly conquered by the Romans. The three deities Jupiter, the king of the gods; Queen Juno his wife and sister; and Jupiter's daughter Minerva, the goddess of wisdom were commonly worshiped throughout the Roman empire.
Open Heritage 3D by CyArkCyArk
Data from this project is now freely available through Open Heritage 3D.
Download the data from this project.
About Open Heritage 3D
The mission of the Open Heritage 3D project is to:
● Provide open access to 3D cultural heritage datasets for education, research and other
non-commercial uses.
● Minimize the technical, financial and legal barriers for publishers of 3D heritage data.
● Promote discovery and re-use of datasets through standardized metadata and data formats.
● Foster community collaboration and knowledge sharing in the 3D cultural heritage community.
● Share best practices and methodologies for the capture, processing and storage of 3D cultural heritage data
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This project was made possible through following partners:
DIAPReM University of Ferrara
Soprintendenza Archeologica di Pompeii
Kacyra Family Foundation
