Acquarossa Memory project

Years: 2016 – currently running

Supervision: Dr. Patricia Lulof

Modelling and research: Maarten Sepers

This project aims to reconstruct houses excavated at Acquarossa1, a 6th century BC Etruscan2 town. Although these houses give a unique view on an ancient Etruscan townscape, they have never been adequately studied or published and previous interest was primarily focused on the terracotta temple decorations that were also found here. In this project, the process of 3D reconstruction is used to gain insight in the vernacular3 architecture of the common Etruscan. It also offers a completely new perspective on the terracotta architectural decorations as they could now be moved from isolation back in their original Etruscan urban context.

What is special about this particular project is that the digital reconstruction of these houses are used as designs for newly build holiday homes near the boundary of the current plot. It is a good example of how 3D reconstruction can be implemented to serve both research and the valorisation of cultural heritage.

Lulof & Sepers 2017, The Acquarossa Memory Project, Reconstructing an Etruscan Town, article in 'Archeologia e Calcolatori'

Presentation of 3D model house B

Presentation of 3D model zona F

Top view of the remains and reconstruction
An annotated model showing its sources
The construction of an Etruscan house
  1. The modern name of the location of an ancient Etruscan settlement abandoned or destroyed in the second half of the sixth century BC: Wikipedia
  2. The Etruscans were a civilization living in central Italy from 800 to 300 BC: Wikipedia
  3. Vernacular architecture is an architectural style that is designed based on local needs, availability of construction materials and reflecting local traditions: Wikipedia