Representing Roman statuary using computer generated images

• Main Author: Beale, Gareth
• Other Authors: Earl, Graeme ; Revell, Louise
• Published: University of Southampton 2013
• Subjects: 930.1; CC Archaeology
• Online Access: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.655326

This thesis explores the potential of computer graphics as a means of producing hypothetical visual reconstructions of a painted statue of a young woman discovered at Herculaneum in 2006 (inv. 4433/87021). The visualisations incorporate accurate representation of experimentally derived data using physically accurate rendering techniques. The statue is reconstructed according to a range of different hypotheses and is visualised within a selection of architectural contexts. The work presented here constitutes both a technical and theoretical innovation for archaeological research. The methodology describes the implementation of physically accurate computer graphical simulation as a tool for the interpretation, visualisation and hypothetical reconstruction of Roman sculpture. These developments are underpinned by a theoretical re-assessment of the value of computationally generated images and computational image making processes to archaeological practice.