The Leonard Lopate Show
Restoring the Parthenon in Athens
The Parthenon in Athens took 9 years to build in the 5th century BC, but now restoring it is taking 33 years and counting. Ancient Greek art scholar Dr. Jeffrey Hurwit of the University of Oregon and Professor Haralambos Bouras of the Acropolis Restoration Project explain more about the ancient construction methods vs. modern restoration processes.
Acropolis Restoration Project website (in Greek)
Was the Parthenon painted in bright colors by the ancient?
Nova dedicated an episode explaining the construction of the Parthenon and the restoration: "Secrets of the Parthenon"
Very interesting program with a lot of information.
Weren't these ancient buildings originally painted in colors over the marble? Are there any plans to recreate that?
And you *are* going to go out of this segment w/Sarah Vaughan's rendition of "Thanks for the Memories," aren't you? The one where she stumbles over "Parthenon" & then repeats it a few times before going on w/the song? Pleeeeaaase?
I am a monuments conservator and visited Athens in October. It was disappointing that nobody was there working during the week (I would have loved to see the restoration in progress)and so much of the buildings were scaffolded that you couldn't see much of anything.
re Parthenon: could either of your guests comment on the interpretation of the frieze of the parthenon; and on the religious (sacrificial?) use of the building?
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