Nemrud Dagi
Anatolia, Turkey

Preserving the Details

The modeling of the sanctuary of Antiochus on Nemrud Dagi, through its several iterations, has always been based directly upon the latest analyses of the site, its topography, architecture, and sculpture. As the site is so inaccessible and exposed to natural and manufactured sources of deterioration, it seemed especially vital to create an accurate and detailed re-creation of the complex as it currently survives.

click on the images to enlarge
View across the East Terrace from the approximate location of the East Terrace processional way up from the valley below, rendering extracted from the virtual reality model of the site; © 2011 Learning Sites, Inc. (used with permission).

View across the East Terrace from the approximate location of the East Terrace processional way up from the valley below, rendering extracted from the virtual reality model of the site;  © 2011 Learning Sites, Inc. (used with permission).
View of the excavated remains of the East Terrace, looking west toward the great podium and the tumulus; © 1985 Donald H. Sanders; used with permission.

View of the excavated remains of the East Terrace, looking west toward the great podium and the tumulus; © 1985 Donald H. Sanders; used with permission.
Rendering of the West Terrace line of dexiosis reliefs and colossal statues, extracted from the virtual reality model of the site; © 2011 Learning Sites, Inc. (used with permission).

Rendering of the West Terrace line of dexiosis reliefs and colossal statues, extracted from the virtual reality model of the site;  © 2011 Learning Sites, Inc. (used with permission).

The modeling process began with the site topography in order to establish the positioning, elevation, and relationship of the major features (tumulus, terraces, sculptures, and pathways). Work then moved to focus on to the East Terrace, the most comprehensive and best preserved of the three. Each feature was simulated digitally trying to replicate the original construction methods in order to gain new insight into how the site the built. Over the course of modeling many inconsistencies among the published drawings were found, and some differences between newly taken dimensions and those on original site drawings. Some of the discrepancies can be attributed to the friable nature of the rack surfaces, making even duplicate measurements taken during the same season come different. Other discrepancies can be attributed to the fact that creating a 3D computer model of any site always leads to new interpretations, new understanding of ancient construction nuances, and new appreciation of ancient techniques (and the subsequent inadequancies of modern methods of measuring). Once the details were adequately modeled and discrepancies reconciled, modeling moved to the West Terrace, and then the North Terrace. Eventually, the entire site and the surrounding countryside were modeled, and then the East Terrace coverted for virtual reality viewing. Work continues on coverting other pieces of the sanctuary to VR.

For the Turkish television movie and the subsequent American television program, special animations and renderings were created by Learning Sites to mesh with and supplement the live action re-creations and modern photography shot by the two studios.

Click to watch flyovers of the East and West Terraces at Nemrud Dagi
© 2011 Learning Sites, Inc.

Reference
Page Created: March 7, 2005
Page Updated: January 2, 2012
URL:
Page Author: The Institute for the Visualization of History