parthenon dark lighting effects 2642792

Archaeologist Juan de Lara of Oxford University has published a paper challenging the long-held belief that the Parthenon in Athens was a brightly lit, open space. Using a 3D model that simulates natural and artificial light, Lara argues the temple was actually dark and dim, with sunlight barely reaching the statue of Athena's waist and a wooden ceiling blocking any translucency from marble roof tiles. He also suggests that hand-held torches, rather than numerous lamps, were used for artificial light, and that the reflective pool in front of Athena's statue did little to illuminate the space.