Archaeologist, art historian, and digital engineer, Dr Juan De Lara reveals the mystery behind the ancient Greek lighting system designed to highlight the grand statue of Athena Parthenos that once adorned the Parthenon. 

The colossal statue of Athena Parthenos created by Phidias in c. 438 BCE was made of ivory and gold, using materials chosen for their luminance. Dr Juan De Lara published his study in the scientific journal The Annual of the British School at Athens.

The abstract from the study published states: 'The Parthenon’s structure suggests a thought-out design particularly attentive to light. This includes the orientation of the building towards the rising sun, the placement of windows, the use of barriers and grilles, the translucent marble ceilings, the skylights, and even ‘reflective’ pools of various liquid. These are all devices that, alongside bright materials, may have been used to enhance the experience of visitors to the temple and their encounter with the colossal gold and ivory statue of the goddess Athena. To test the validity and the effect that each of these purported design strategies produced, this article proposes an experiment using advanced 3D digital technologies, along with physically based lighting simulations, to recreate the ambient and architectural conditions that existed in the original temple design. The results suggest that this temple, contrary to long-standing beliefs that imagined the interior as a ‘bright marble space’, was generally quite dark and dim. The subsequent discussion and concluding remarks suggest that the illumination of the chryselephantine statue’s materials through the glow of a lamp, and on rare occasions from the sun, probably represented the pinnacle of the viewing encounters.'

"After the victory of the Greeks over the Persians in the Greco-Persian wars, the Athenians built the Parthenon to honour their leading goddess of war and wisdom. Though it is temple-like in structure, the Parthenon had no official priestess. The statue of Athena Parthenos was created during the High Classical Greek period, around the 5th century BCE. This era of Greek sculpture is characterized by serene facial expressions, defined fabric drapery, and stark attention to detail. De Lara suggests that the materials used for Athena Parthenos were chosen for their inherent luminosity. Marble, gold, and ivory have this property." To read Philip Chrysopoulos' article in the Greek Reporter, follow the link here.

Dr Juan De Lara is currently a Research Fellow at the University of Oxford

The 11th birthday of the Acropolis Museum, 20 June 2020

On Saturday 20 June 2020 the Acropolis Museum celebrates 11 years and welcomes back its visitors. The Museum  re-open on Monday 15 June and has undertaken all the necessary measures for the protection of  its visitors.

On Saturday, the Museum will be open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. with a reduced entry (5 euro) to all exhibition areas. Additionally, visitors will have the opportunity to see the temporary exhibition ‘Chisel and Memory'. The contribution of marble craftsmanship to the restoration of the Acropolis monuments’, which will continue until 30 September 2020. The Museum's second floor restaurant will operate until 12 midnight .

Gallery talks held by the Museum’s Archaeologist-Hosts will commence this week. Visitors wishing to participate are required to wear a protective mask (not provided by the Museum) and to use the whisper guide system headsets (provided by the Museum to participants).

‘The lost statue of Athena Parthenos’

The Acropolis Museum brings to life, digitally, the statue of Athena Parthenos. Made of gold and ivory, this masterpiece was designed by Phidias for the Parthenon. The Museum invites  visitors on a walk of knowledge to find out more about its construction materials and techniques, its myths and allegories, its radiance and its adventures.
Greek: Every Friday at 1 p.m.
English: Every Friday at 11 a.m.
Duration: 50 minutes
Participation: Limited to 10 visitors per session. For registration, please refer to the Information Desk at the Museum entrance on the same day. First-in first-served.
Price: The general admission fee (€10) to the Museum  will cover this experience.

‘A walk through the Museum with an archaeologist’
Visitors have the opportunity to participate in evening walks through the Museum exhibition galleries, making unanticipated stops and various discussions, together with an Archaeologist-Host.
Greek: every Friday, at 8 p.m.
English: every Friday, at 6 p.m.
Duration: 60 minutes
Participation: Limited to 10 visitors per session. For registration, please refer to the Information Desk at the Museum entrance on the same day. First-in first-served.
Price: The general admission fee (€10) to the Museum will cover this walk and talk.

‘Walking in the ancient neighborhood of the Acropolis Museum’

Visitors are given the opportunity to wander through the archaeological excavation which stretches underneath the Museum, like a giant exhibit. They will be able to walk on the ancient neighborhood’s streets, take a closer look at the houses with their courtyards and wells, enter the heart of the impressive mansions with the private baths, examine the workshops with the water reservoirs, take a magical stroll through time and the daily life of the people who lived in the shadow of the Acropolis’ rock for over 4,500 years.
Greek: every Saturday & Sunday, at 1 p.m.
English: every Saturday & Sunday, at 11 a.m.
Duration: 45 minutes
Participation: Limited to 10 visitors per session. For registration, please refer to the Information Desk at the Museum entrance on the same day. First-in first-served.
Price: The general admission fee (€10) to the Museum is required (on Saturday 20/6 the general admission fee will be reduced to €5).