Image Credit: Rodney, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Laser Technology Revives Rome Column of Marcus Aurelius

Restoration specialists in Rome are using advanced laser technology to clean and conserve one of the city’s most important ancient monuments—the Column of Marcus Aurelius—bringing renewed clarity to its sculpted scenes after centuries of exposure to pollution and weathering.
The column, erected around AD 180, stands nearly 40 metres high and is wrapped in a spiral frieze that winds upward 23 times around the shaft. Carved in fine Carrara marble, the reliefs depict military campaigns along the Danube frontier and include more than 2,000 figures, offering rare visual insight into Roman warfare, beliefs, and imperial power.
Hand-held lasers are being used to remove dark surface deposits without damaging the stone beneath. The method allows conservators to precisely lift away layers of grime, revealing details that had long been obscured. This marks the most extensive application of laser cleaning on a monument in Italy to date, with the entire exterior frieze undergoing treatment.
The column remains in its original location in central Rome, where much of the surrounding ancient fabric has disappeared over time. Restoration work began earlier this year and is expected to conclude in the coming months. The project is funded through European support aimed at cultural recovery and preservation.
Previous restoration efforts date back to the late 16th century, when the statue atop the column was replaced, and to the 1980s, when the monument was last cleaned. During the current campaign, conservators have also addressed areas where the marble showed signs of instability, ensuring the long-term protection of the structure. Once the work is complete, the monument will be closely monitored to allow timely intervention if future conservation needs arise.

Published on: 19-12-2025

Edited by: Abdulmnam Samakie

Source: Reuters