Nuove Ricerche: Investigating roof terracotta production at Olympia

Work conducted by the Digital Roofs project is providing fascinating new insights into production traditions at Olympia. Through the use of new technology (3D scanner and handheld digital microscope) new information regarding the materials and techniques used in the production of roof terracottas have come to light. It has been found that objects of the same overall type, for example, were often produced using different methods during different periods ranging from the Archaic to Roman. Production traditions can therefore aid in dating objects but also provide additional insights on the ensuing architecture of this important sanctuary.