Konstantina SIOUNTRI
(University of the Aegean – Cultural Technology and Communication Dpt., Mytilene, Greece)

Keywords: digital heritage, 3D modeling, 3D data analysis

Abstract:
Ancient Corinth is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Greece, due to its historical importance as a Panhellenic administrative and commercial center in the late Classical and early Hellenistic times and due to its impressive monuments, i.e. the Apollo temple, the Altar of Paul the Apostle etc.
Among these monuments, there is the “South Stoa”, an impressively large building, which covers an area of more than 4 acres (165 m long and 25 m wide) and consists of: (a) the portico, the northern part – facade with the outer and inner colonnade and (b) the southern part with Hellenistic shops and Roman public buildings. Between the southern buildings, there is the roman “Agonotheteion”, a monument that includes a 45 sq. m., also known as “Eutychia” (good luck) mosaic.
The study group, which was set up and organized by the paper’s author for the American School of Classical Studies in Athens (ASCSA) and the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, carried out an ambitious project of proposing the restoration of the South Stoa Portico (reformation of the ground elevations, reconstruction of the boundaries, replacement of the archaeological remains etc) and the conservation of the Agonotheteion mosaic.
In order to complete the study of the two monuments, which due to their size, nature and construction were completely different, our team had to thoroughly document the geometry and to fully map the pathology of the objects, either we had to deal with the 165 m. colonnade or a single mosaic chip. For that reason, we had to carry out measurements with absolute precision and to document all the details of the colors and textures.
The method of photogrammetry and the construction of 3D models, which was used for the project, was the key factor since it helped us with all the above issues and it allowed us to correct with high accuracy the initially published dimensions of the portico, to identify its initial level, to process efficiently a big quantity of information and to guarantee the safe detachment and movement of the mosaic. As far as it concerns the mosaic, the detachment has already been completed and its conservation is in progress.

Relevance for the conference: This paper presents the use of the 3 d representations in restoration, conservation and enhancement of ancient monuments
Relevance for the session: This paper presents implemented case studies of using and structuring digital data in order to interpret and monitor cultural heritage
Innovation: The implemented 3D representation projects of the proposed paper on different types of monuments in Ancient Corinth succeeded to deliver accurately structured data dealing with issues of monitoring geometry and pathology, by correcting problems of the past and avoiding mistakes on restoration of the future
References:
• O. Broneer, Corinth I.IV: “The South Stoa and its Roman Successors”, Princeton – New Jersey, 1954
• “Good Luck” from Corinth: A Mosaic of Allegory, Athletics, and City Identity Betsey A. Robinson American Journal of Archaeology Vol. 116, No. 1 (January 2012), pp. 105-132