The Visualisation of Construction Principles of Antique Architecture

An Antic Amphitheatre Visually Explored

Abstract

At the last CHNT conference we illustrated our method of visualisation of hypotheses as a counterposition of presumed virtual reconstructions of architecture. A visualisation of a hypothesis is profoundly different from a virtual reconstruction. The difference lies in the understanding of what is to be shown in the face of what can be expressed scientifically. Reconstruction claims that it is possible to rebuild a lost building. That may be possible in some cases. In the case of ancient buildings such as this amphitheatre, where the findings are less than sparse, this is quite impossible. This is why we developed our method of visualisation of hypotheses. It emphasises that archaeological knowledge consists of a wide range of uncertainty including contradictions rising from multiple equally valid scientific assumptions. Instead of pure diagrams, we work with subtle indications, mainly through versatile geometric abstraction. Contrary to the literal meaning this does not mean leaving things away but designing new and evident shapes of representation. Abstract shapes are then compensated by virtual architectural photography.