The team from the University of Oxford (UK) has studied and recreated the lighting system of the ancient Greek temple of the Parthenon, located on the Athenian Acropolis. This magnificent structure, built between 447 and 438 BC in honor of the goddess Athena, was renowned for its stunning light effects. It’s worth noting that this was centuries before electricity was invented.
What Captivated the Researchers?
A four-year interdisciplinary study led by Professor Juan de Lara has shed new light on this millennia-old mystery. Ingeniously combining archaeological evidence with cutting-edge 3D technology and optical physics, archaeologist and digital engineer de Lara, along with his colleagues, recreated the unique lighting system of the temple. The researchers confirmed that it was designed to evoke feelings of awe and reverence.
The study, supported by University College London (UCL) and the London Arts and Humanities Partnership (LAHP), revealed that the designers of the Parthenon and the renowned sculptor Phidias skillfully utilized architectural details to manage natural light. Among these were roof openings, internal pools, and strategically placed windows. The ancient masters also paid considerable attention to the interplay of light on polished marble.
A key focus of the detailed 3D model of the Parthenon’s lighting was the colossal statue of the goddess Athena made of ivory and gold. The researchers examined how the light reflected off the statue created enchanting effects within the temple. They also studied how natural rays penetrated through the eastern entrance of the Parthenon, as reported by Arkeonews.
What Surprised the Team?
The findings of the study were somewhat unexpected. It turned out that during the day, the sun did not completely flood the temple with light. The interior of the Parthenon remained in semi-darkness for most of the day, creating an atmosphere of reverence. During the Panathenaic Festival, held every four years in honor of the goddess Athena, the researchers observed a remarkable phenomenon. For several mornings, the rising sun perfectly aligned with the entrance of the temple, casting a brilliant beam directly onto the golden robes of the statue of Athena. According to the scientists, it was a “breathtaking, shimmering spectacle.”
“Imagine walking into the Parthenon, your eyes still adjusting from the bright sunlight outside, slowly acclimating to the darkness within. When sunlight streams through the doorway, it falls on the goddess’s golden attire in a radiant vertical beam. This was the effect the architects and Phidias aimed to create. And it was magical!” Professor de Lara shared.
The results of the study were published in the prestigious journal The Annual of the British School at Athens.