2. VIRTUAL RECONSTRUCTION
The term reconstruction implies the re-building of a monument to its state at a particular time moment of its past life, chosen for
the representation. The term has similar meaning with the terms anastylosis and restoration, with the difference that the
anastylosis is expected to use the authentic material, while for the restoration new material may be used, but both are
implemented up to the point where assumptions about the original form of the monument are required. Digital
technologies have enabled the virtual reconstruction. This term implies that the representation takes place in a computer three
dimensional space, which is usually called virtual environment and the final product is usually called a 3D virtual model
Matini et al., 2009. There are many kinds of virtual reconstruction, mainly
focussing on the verisimilitude of data used. Usually the different data are illustrated with different colours, every colour
representing
different data
source. Another
way of
representation is that the object parts are illustrated with different transparency level according to the reliability of
original source. In this case important role plays the data date, their accuracy and their likelihood. The differentiation may also
represent the knowledge about the original construction material.
Symmetry, which is a very important element in architecture, may also be represented and interpreted with the virtual
reconstruction, while building the geometry of the architectural elements, like windows, doors, arcs etc. Another important
element is the representation of the construction method of each element or section of the monument. Hence, the process of
virtual reconstruction must be done very carefully in order to create the virtual model correctly both geometrically and
photorealistically De Fuentes et al. 2010, Gkintzou et al. 2012, Valle Melon et al. 2005.
Virtual reconstruction supports many other disciplines involved in cultural heritage. It helps architects in their work for
monuments especially in cases of restoration, anastylosis etc. Archaeologists and Conservationists have a very good tool for
their studies. Many applications can be generated from a virtual reconstruction like virtual video tours of the monument for
educational and other purposes for use by schools, museums and other organizations, for incorporation into a geographical
information system GIS for archaeological sites, for the design of virtual museums and the creation of numerous applications
for mobile devices e.g. mobile phones, tablets etc.
3. DATA AVAILABLE
For the reconstruction of the Middle Stoa many types of data were available. They were carefully studied and evaluated and
as a result of this thorough research it was decided which ones were going to be used and how. These data, used for the virtual
reconstruction are:
A complete reconstruction study by Architect John Travlos 1963, where he had also drafted many missing
parts of the Middle Stoa. A reconstruction study by the American School of
Classical Studies in Athens, where parts at the small side of the Stoa were designed Mc Camp II 2004.
Two drawings which illustrate the existing situation of the foundations of the building. The first one illustrates the
situation at the southwest side and the other depicts the krepis at the northeast side, which still survives in a very
good condition. Drawings illustrating particular architectural elements of
the Middle Stoa. These drawings concern the roof tiles of the monument and the type of the triglyphs. All these
drawings come from the archive of the American School of Classical Studies in Athens
www.agathe.gr .
A 3D reconstruction of the foundations at the south western part of the building, which was made using
contemporary surveying and photogrammetric techniques Karageorgou et al. 2008.
In addition to the above valuable information from many publications was also used. These sources include:
John Travlos’ “Pictorial Dictionary of Athens” 1971, which includes drawing from a reconstruction study from
some parts of the monument. Muller-Wiener’s “Architecture in Ancient Greece”
1995, where valuable information was found about the decoration of the molding geison.
For the rendering phase of the monument drawings illustrating particular parts of the monument with their colour were used
Figures 2 and 3. These images were published in the web site of the American School of Classical Studies in Athens.
Figure 2: Drawing of part of the reconstructed building
Figure 3: Drawing of Middle Stoa’s sima
In cases where the information was not leading to firm conclusions as to the original form of the monument parts, the
advice, comments and suggestions of specialised scientists, responsible for the Athenian Agora, proved to be valuable. All
126
the available data were evaluated and classified according to their verisimilitude in terms of accuracy and likelihood Table
1.
Source Characteristics
Year Order in
accuracy Order in
likelihood
3D Model 2010, 2012
1 1
Architectural plans of Stoa
1963,1965,1966 2
2 Other
architecture plans
Varies 3
3 Images
Varies 5
5 Literature
Varies 4
4 Assumptions
- 6
6 Table1: Data evaluation
In Table 1 data originating from the 3D model Karageorgou et al. 2008 were considered as highly accurate compared to the
rest. Architectural plans of the Middle Stoa are quite accurate, because they illustrate an important part of the reconstructed
building and were compiled after very careful studies. The assumptions are the less accurate piece of data. They were used
only in the case where there were no other data available to represent the object correctly.
4. RECONSTRUCTION OF THE MIDDLE STOA
Kategori