The Stone Roof Marble Tholos Tiles in the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia at Delphi. Stereotomy and compression resistant forms in the domed roof structures of ancient Greece

A groundbreaking study challenges the long-held assumption that the Tholos of Athena Pronaia at Delphi's roof was constructed using trusses and substructures, suggesting instead a sophisticated stone tile system that formed a domed structure. Through virtual reconstruction, physical modeling, and analysis of tile grooves and recesses, researchers demonstrated that these tiles could aggregate into a reciprocal spatial structural system, creating a dome with an outer diameter of approximately 15 meters. This finding not only redefines the architectural capabilities of ancient Greek builders but also raises new questions about the geometric matrix underlying this design and the potential causes of its collapse, excluding decorative functions as a primary factor.

Pizzigoni, A., Beatini, V., & Paris, V. (2022). IL TETTO DI PIETRA. LE TEGOLE DI MARMO DELLA THOLOS DI ATHENA PRONAIA A DELFI [JD]. Structural, 240, 1–57. https://doi.org/10.12917/Stru240.08