Photo Gallery: Time Travel Back to Ancient Rome

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The Roman Forum by Google Earth: The company teamed up with the University of Virginia, research institutions and various 3D graphics specialists to construct a realistic computer model of the ancient city.

Foto: Google Earth

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An aerial view of "Rome Reborn," a project from the University of Virginia.

Foto: AP

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... and here in the version from Google Earth: users can click on the yellow place holders and get more information about individual buildings, often with links to further reading. This is perhaps the most useful part of the project. The texts are already available in several languages.

Foto: Google Earth

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The Arch of Constantine: Some of the replicated buildings are equipped with detailed surfaces -- others remain embarrassingly 'virtual'...

Foto: Google Earth

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... like the Flavian Ampitheater, better known as the Colosseum.

Foto: Google Earth / Digital Globe

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The Colosseum from outside: You can also see the giant statue of Nero beside it, but only in 2D, which gives it the look of a cardboard cutout.

Foto: Google Earth / Digital Globe

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The same spot from a different perspective: Underneath the simulated ancient city stands a satellite picture of the Rome of today. Navigating around can create, strange, surreal effects.

Foto: Google Earth / Digital Globe

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In comparison: The Colosseum with aqueduct from photo material provided by the University of Virginia's "Rome Reborn" project.

Foto: University of Virginia

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An aqueduct with houses: a "vitural time maschine," or just a gimmick?

Foto: Google Earth / Digital Globe

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The Circus Maximus: an ancient race course with cardboard model charm.

Foto: Google Earth / Digital Globe

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This is how it's supposed to look: A press photo from the Rome Reborn project from the University of Virginia. In Google Earth's version, the surfaces are not nearly as detailed.

Foto: Procedural, inc.