CONFERENCE: VILLA OF THE PAPYRI: archaeology, reception and digital reconstruction

VILLA OF THE PAPYRI:
archaeology, reception and digital reconstruction

Christ Church College, Oxford (September 22-23, 2007)


Speakers:

Archaeology: David Sider (NYU)
Harald Mielsch (Universität Bonn)
Carol Mattusch (George Mason University)
Antonio De Simone (Università Suor Orsola Benincasa Napoli)

Reception: Dana Arnold (University of Southampton)
Kenneth Lapatin (Getty Museum)

Digital reconstruction: Mantha Zarmakoupi (University of Oxford)
Diane Favro (UCLA)



The Villa of the Papyri is a unique archaeological site and, although still largely underground, has been very influential in the field of classical studies and the modern imagination owing to its discovery and underground exploration in the 18th century. The papyri (the only intact library to survive from Greco-Roman antiquity) and bronze sculptures found in the villa have contributed to our knowledge and understanding of the ancient world and the architecture of the villa has inspired today’s architects and tycoons. This villa has become for us the “ideal model” of Roman luxury villa culture. It is also an object of much international attention in debates about excavation, restoration, and management of archaeological sites. The purpose of this conference is to address the cultural significance of this ancient site in its contemporary Roman context as well as its cultural reception since its discovery in the late 18th century, and address the ways in which digital archaeology may assist our efforts to understand and investigate such sites. Papers from leading experts will address the importance of the Villa’s architecture (Harald Miesch) and findings, especially papyri (David Sider) and sculptures (Carol Mattusch), tackle their reception since the Villa’s discovery in the late 18th century (Kenneth Lapatin, Dana Arnold), and present the current state of the excavations in the Villa (Antonio De Simone). Furthermore, a digital model of the Villa that incorporates the data from the new excavations will be presented (Mantha Zarmakoupi) and the conference will conclude with a discussion on the ways in which this digital model may be used for educational and research purposes (Diane Favro).

Supported by The Friends of Herculaneum Society
Contact and registration: Mantha Zarmakoupi, mzarmakoupi@post.harvard.edu

Source: Rogue Classicism; In general, see the Philodemus Project