The appearance of Virtual 3D imaging has made possible the reconstruction of many ancient monuments an cities for the study and enjoyment by people of our times. Spain has for centuries had a prominent role in Euro/Asian culture and history, as is evident by the quantity of archeological landmarks across the Iberian peninsula.
Tarraco was the first permanent Roman settlement outside of Italy, and shortly became a capital of Hispania, then a province of Rome. In the years 25-26 A.D. August Caesar directed the entire Roman Empire from the city. This gives some idea of the importance of Tarraco at the time. It was known as the most admired city outsyde Italy, and was a preferred vacation site for Roman notables.
Tarraco was founded about 300 B.C. as a military encampment on the site of the Iberian settelment of Kesse. Among the first constructions were the city walls, Roman temples, Forums ans Stadium. Outside the walls the city became a thriving metropolis of farm markets and fisherman extending from the mountains to the sea.
Our Virtual reconstruction of Tarraco is dated about the second century A.D. Major construction projects have been completed, and the city is at the height of it's gowth. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Tarraco lost much of it's economic and administrative importance, and slowly declined over the centuries until it almost completely disappeared. Fortunately, there still exist sufficient remains and written accounts to know the genius of it's ancient builders and artist.
The process of creating a Virtual 3D model begins with aerial stereoscopic photographs, over wich are traced topographical details. This is then used to create three dimensional image of the terrain. Visits to similar cities such as Mérida, Bilbilis, Zaragoza, give us a better understanding of the customs of Roman architects, whose designs, fortunately, changed but little over the entire empire. All this data, and references from archeological and historical texts listed in the bibliography give us the capability to reconstruct a site, for example the Tarraco city theatre, from only the few remains that still exist.
The following phases will include the use of microphotography of textural patterns of walls, etc, to make possible the Virtual reconstruction of frescos and paintings, and 3D Virtual Imaging to enhace details of mosaics and scupltures.
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