An app shows how ancient Greek sites looked thousands of years ago. It’s a glimpse of future tech
ATHENS, Greece — Tourists at the Acropolis this holiday season can witness the resolution of one of the world’s most heated debates on cultural heritage.
They only require a smartphone.
Visitors can now pinch and zoom their way around the ancient Greek site, with a digital overlay showing how it once looked. That includes a collection of marble sculptures removed from the Parthenon more than 200 years ago that are now on display at the British Museum in London. Greece has demanded they be returned.
Currently, there is an application endorsed by the Culture Ministry of Greece that enables tourists to use their smartphones to view the Parthenon temple. By doing so, they can see the sculptures that are currently housed in London, as archaeologists speculate they appeared 2,500 years ago.
There are additional features that are not as well-known: Numerous sculptures on the Acropolis were adorned with vibrant colors. Moreover, within the main chamber of the Parthenon, there was a statue of goddess Athena positioned above a shallow water pool.
“I am truly amazed… I have only witnessed such advanced technology at the dentist,” commented Shriya Parsotam Chitnavis, a tourist from London, as she explored the app on a sunny afternoon at Acropolis, Greece’s renowned archaeological site.
“I had limited knowledge about the Acropolis, and I needed some persuasion to visit this place. However, witnessing it in color has significantly increased my interest. Being a visual person, the interactive nature of this experience has truly helped me to appreciate it.”
The virtual restoration is accessible from any location and could save certain visitors from the crowded uphill trek and lengthy wait to view the renowned landmarks in person. Additionally, it could contribute to the country’s efforts to promote Greek cities as year-round tourist destinations.
Tourism, vital for the Greek economy, has roared back since the COVID-19 pandemic, even as wildfires chased visitors from the island of Rhodes and affected other areas this summer. The number of inbound visitors from January through July was up 21.9% to 16.2 million compared with a year ago, according to the Bank of Greece. Revenue was up just over 20%, to $10.8 billion.
The application, named “Chronos” in reference to the legendary ruler of the Titans and the Greek term for “time,” employs augmented reality to overlay the historical representation of the location onto the screen, aligning with the actual surroundings as you move about.
After a significant delay, AR is finally being introduced to consumers and is expected to have a substantial impact on various professional and recreational pursuits.
Big tech companies, such as Meta and Apple, are focusing on lucrative opportunities in immersive services. They are investing in VR headsets that have high price tags, targeting various sectors like medical surgery, military training, specialized machine repair, retail, and live events.
Maria Engberg, co-author of the book “Reality Media” on augmented and virtual reality, stated that the expensive cost will maintain the cellphone as the primary platform for delivering augmented reality to consumers for a considerable period.
She states that the services provided for travelers will soon enhance their overall experience by enabling more options for sharing during tours and incorporating archive photos and videos.
Engberg, an associate professor of computer science and media technology at Malmo University in Sweden, stated that AR and VR have not progressed as rapidly as other digitally consumed forms such as games and movies.
She mentioned that in the upcoming years, we can expect fascinating customer experiences as museums and archives continue to digitize their content.
The Culture Ministry and national tourism authority of Greece have recently embraced technology, albeit belatedly. They utilized the widely popular video game Assassin’s Creed Odyssey as a means to entice young travelers from China to visit Greece, organizing a state-sponsored photo contest centered around the game’s depiction of ancient Athens.
Two years ago, Microsoft collaborated with the Culture Ministry to introduce a captivating digital tour at ancient Olympia, the historic origin of the Olympic Games located in southern Greece.
The recent installation of ramps and anti-slip pathways in Greece’s ancient monuments has been complemented by innovations that will enhance accessibility, according to Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.
Mendoni stated during a preview launch event for the Chronos app in May that accessibility is now expanding to the digital realm. This means that both physical and virtual visitors from any location can now easily share historical knowledge.
The creators of the free app, developed by Cosmote, a Greek telecoms provider, express their intention to enhance the app’s current capabilities, which include a virtual guide named Clio powered by artificial intelligence.
“I cannot reword”
Using Chronos, virtual reconstructions also encompass three additional structures located at the Acropolis, including a nearby Roman theater and sections of the Acropolis Museum situated at the base of the hill.
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Petros Giannakouris, an AP photographer, contributed from Athens.
