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Visualizing the Roman Villa: Virtual Preservation and Digital Archaeology at Oplontis
October 23 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
800 W. Campbell Road
Richardson, TX 75080 United States
Sponsored by: AIA-Dallas/Ft Worth Society, Edith O'Donnell Institute of Art History
AIA Society: Dallas/Ft. Worth

Dr. Michael Thomas, co-director of the Oplontis Project since 2005, has focused his research on two sites at ancient Oplontis: Villa A, a monumental seaside residence, and “Villa” B, a commercial complex dedicated to wine storage and distribution. This lecture explores how digital heritage methods have shaped the study and preservation of both sites. Through 3D laser scanning, photogrammetry, GIS mapping, and a linked database, the project has documented the architectural remains and decorative programs of both sites. A navigable digital model not only preserves both of these fragile sites in virtual form but also enables scholars and the public to explore, analyze, and interpret them in ways that extend far beyond the limitations of physical access. The commitment to born-digital publication ensures that these records and reconstructions remain open, adaptable, and sustainable. In combining preservation, accessibility, and interpretation, the Oplontis Project offers a model for how digital heritage can reframe our understanding of the environments in which ancient Roman lived and worked.


