The life-sized three-dimensional wall-paintings reproduced and exhibited here were sponsored by the "Thera Foundation, Petros M. Nomikos", and produced in France by Transfer Relief SA, using the Kodak Pathé process. Other similar Kodak Pathé commissions have been funded by the Getty Museum of California and the French government for the Egyptian tomb of Sennefer and the Lascaux Caves, respectively.
The manufacturing of these images involved a long, complex, and laborious process which necessitated the transfer of photographic emulsions onto a synthetic substrate that exactly replicates that of the original wall-painting plaster. This substrate was generated from a stereo-photogram of the original wall-painting in much that same way satellite imagery is used to render computerized topography in 3D.
Following the completion of the substrate, the photographic emulsion was then bonded to create the wall-paintings presented in the museum and shown in this album. Each image in the museum is rendered in a 1/1 scale, and has been stereo photographed using 20x25 cm. negatives so as to reduce peripheral image distortion and provide the very highest resolution. The results are exceptionally realistic and accurate, and this exhibition in Fira remains the only place where one can view, enjoy and study all of the wall-paintings of Thera.
The buildings in Sector Alpha have been heavily destroyed by water erosion. Only fragments of wall-paintings were found amongst the various styles of ceramic wares that were uncovered. These fragments, when reconstructed, revealed the wall-painting archaeologists have named 'Altar with Monkeys'.
The northern section of the archaeological site showing Sector Alpha
Another plan of Sector Alpha, showing also its sections
Kalypso 14 Days / 13 Nights: Athens (1 night) - 4-Day Classical Tour (3 nights) - Athens (1 night), plus City Tour - Mykonos (3 nights) - 4-Day Aegean Cruise - Athens (1 night)
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