GEOSTRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF THE ATHENIAN ACROPOLIS WALL BASED ON 
TERRESTRIAL LASER SCANNING DATA 
D. Egglezos*, D. Moullou , D. Mavromati 
Greek Ministry of Culture, Acropolis Restoration Service, 10 Polygnotou str. 10555 Athens, Greece - degle@tee.gr, 
thmoullou@hotmail.com, mavromatid@yahoo.com 
Special Session SS-19: Recording and documenting the Acropolis of Athens 
KEY WORDS: Archaeology, Cultural Heritage, Surveying, Planning, Recording, Modelling, Analysis 
ABSTRACT: 
In this paper, the accurate geometric information extracted from the three-dimensional model of both the circuit wall of the 
Acropolis of Athens and the underlain supporting rock are described and analyzed. Laser scanning data was used for preliminary 
geostructural analyses aiming at the proper structural modelling of the circuit wall. These analyses were performed a) for 
interpretation of the current state of an intensely distorted section of the north wall and calibration of mechanical parameters 
involved, through back-analysis and b) evaluation of the potential effect of reinforced embankment (for the reburial of Arrephorion 
monument) in contact with an area of the north wall, with use of parameters deduced at the previous back-analysis. These 
preliminary analyses constitute an introduction to theoretical investigation of intervention and restoration planning of Acropolis 
circuit wall. 
1. INTRODUCTION 
Strong fortification walls have surrounded the summit of the 
Acropolis for more than 3.300 years. The first fortification wall 
was built during the 13th century B.C. and was destroyed during 
the Persian invasion of 480 B.C. In the 5th century B.C. the 
Athenians, empowered from their victory over the Persians, 
carried out an ambitious building programme comprising a 
large number of monuments including the Parthenon, the 
Erechtheion, the Propylaia, the temple of Athena Nike and new 
fortification wall. These buildings have survived for almost 
twenty-five centuries through wars, explosions, bombardments, 
fires, earthquakes, thefts and interventions as well as alterations 
connected with different usage (figure 1). 
Figure 1. The Acropolis of Athens. View from northeast. By S. 
Mavrommatis. 
Nowadays, looking at the walls’ only visible part - the exterior- 
the beholder can hardly discern the original monumental 
masonry, because strong buttresses, thick revetments, repairs 
and later repairs including new mortar facing, displeasingly 
hide it from view. In addition to these constructional 
deformities, the walls have been severely distorted by the 
enormous pressure of the earth fill behind it (Korres, 2004), as 
well as strong earthquake actions. 
2. MAIN STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS OF THE WALL 
The continuous exposure of the wall in the action of damaging 
factors during its history has provoked major or minor failures, 
related to geometry and/or mechanical strength of wall structure 
and materials. The term geometric failure refers to changes of 
the original shape of the wall, considered as a whole structure 
and comprises typically: rotations (figure 9), displacements 
(figure 2), intense deformation of shape (e.g. barreling) and so 
Figure 2. North part of Acropolis circuit wall. Characteristic 
displacements of structural blocks. By D: Egglezos 
* Corresponding author. D. Egglezos, degle@tee.gr