In the US, at the Virginia University is conducted the international project “Rome Reborn”, a 3D model of ancient Rome that includes a set of 6,700 buildings, according to archaeologists, that existed in 320 a time that the great city had reached a million citizans. Currently, this project can be studied 3D on Google Earth.
This project is a continuation of five centuries of research work performed by architects, artists and scholars since the Renaissance who have attempted to restore the ruins of the ancient city with words, maps and images. The partnership with Google Earth is another step to achieve a virtual machine of the time that our children and grandchildren will use to study the history of ancient Rome.
Among the buildings and monuments that can be traced 3D is the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine, Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine, Circus Maximus, the Forum of Julius Caesar, the Arch of Titus and more. Computer graphics are based on a referential model, a model which was carried out by archaeologists during 1933-1974 and is hosted by the Museum of Roman Civilisation in Rome.
