Volume 5 - Number 3

In late April 2001, Professor Diane Conlin of Classics and Fine Arts will chair an international conference titled "Marble in the Roman World." Distinguished archaeologists, sculptors, art historians, architectural historians and scientists from across the United States, Italy, England, and Denmark will gather in Boulder April 25-27 for the first colloquium devoted to the use and carving of different marbles in the ancient Roman world.

The three-day conference will include illustrated lectures open to the public free of charge which will offer new evidence and ideas for how we understand Roman stone working. The participants will explore how the ancient carvers actually made marble statues and relief, what practical problems may have affected their work, and whether the ancient Romans valued different types of marble for decorative and propaganda purposes. Findings from current archeological research projects in conjunction with the real-world practicalities faced by modern marble sculptors will provide an informative and entertaining picture of the working conditions and artistic creativity of ancient stone carvers. Speakers will also discuss the significance of scientific sampling for determining the quarry origins of marbles and transportation of marble as a commodity in the ancient Roman economy. Also fascinating will be discussion of modern restorations of ancient sculptures and the curious phenomenon of deliberate statue mutilation by the Romans themselves.

Further details about the conference, including the schedule and titles of presentation, will be available in January 2001. As a prelude to the Colorado Marble conference, Professor Conlin will co-chair a workshop session on the Roman marble studies on Thursday, January 4, 2001 at the annual meeting of the Archaeological Institute of America in San Diego.