The International Round Table on Polychromy in Ancient Sculpture and Architecture or the “Polychromy Round Table” is a series of meetings dedicated to the study of the polychromy of ancient sculpture and architecture.
The subject of colour in the ancient world has long fascinated scholars. Within the realm of Classical art, historians stretching back to the late eighteenth century have periodically addressed the topic that sculpture and architectural elements from the Greco-Roman world, and beyond, were originally highly coloured.
Recently, interest in this field has once more been reinvigorated by the advent of new scientific techniques and methodologies, as well as by a community of diverse and interdisciplinary scholars, dedicated to the study of the polychromy of ancient sculpture and architecture.
Since 2009, this growing network of scholars has met on a series of occasions(see Past Meetings), first held annually and, since 2016, biennially.
The meetings have a strong tradition of providing an excellent opportunity for experts from a wide range of fields (archaeologists, architectural historians, scientists, conservators, museum and digital humanities professionals) to discuss new research in a stimulating multidisciplinary setting. Papers from a variety of perspectives are encouraged and cover many aspects of polychromy in ancient sculpture and architecture.
The first meeting of the Polychromy Round Table, held at the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen in 2009, was made up of only 11 participants. By comparison, 2020's virtual meeting had more than 360 registrants.
Image © Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
This website collects the experience of these productive and rich encounters at the Polychromy Round Table, in the form of past programmes, abstracts and published proceedings. It also aims to provide a focal point for this network and research community to share news on its investigations, publications and events.
In the inclusive spirit of the Polychromy Round Table and its network, this site also aims to reach out to other researchers who may be considering the subject of ancient polychromy from the Greco-Roman world or relevant comparative studies from their own interdisciplinary viewpoints, geographical areas and time periods.
For further information or to sign up for the mailing list, please email: polychromyroundtable@gmail.com
Latest information on the next Polychromy Round Table meeting
The 13th International Round Table on Polychromy in Ancient Sculpture and Architecture
will be held in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Autumn 2026.
More information coming soon!
Latest Publications
"Unveiling the Original Polychromy of Archaic Architecture: The Gigantomachy on the West Pediment of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi (6th c. B.C.)"
Giasemi G. Frantzi, Georgios P. Mastrotheodoros, Panayiotis Theoulakis, Sotiria Kogou, Athanasia Psalti and Hariclia Brecoulaki
Heritage, 2025, 8(1), 17-26.
Read more here: https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8010017
Published online - 06/01/2025.
Upcoming Events
Lecture: Alexander Nagel "Radiant Beasts: An Archaeology of Feathers, Wings, and the Senses in Achaemenid Persia" at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, University of Berkeley, California.
21st February, 2025 at 12 pm
The lecture introduces ongoing research on the polychromy of feather crowns and wings on the great stone monuments at Pasargadae, Persepolis, and Susa. Focusing on the monumental beasts depicted on the Gate of all Lands and other structures on the site of Persepolis, my talk asks: what methods help us understand the intentions and processes behind painted decorations in Achaemenid Persia? We will discuss a second aspect of ongoing research during the graduate seminar. Combining approaches from multiple disciplines encourages current work on Achaemenid Persian monuments and organic materials from the site. How far have we come?
For more information see:
Alexander Nagel | Radiant Beasts: An Archaeology of Feathers, Wings, and the Senses in Achaemenid Persia / Events at UC Berkeley
