Unveiling Malta’s Past: ARTE’s ‘The Colour of Antiquity’

Imagine strolling down Republic Street, Malta’s bustling capital, and suddenly the ancient world comes alive. That’s the magic of ARTE’s ‘The Colour of Antiquity’, a documentary that’s not just about history, but about bringing it to life in vivid, vibrant colour.

Reviving History in Living Colour

ARTE, the European cultural channel, has done something extraordinary. They’ve taken us back to ancient times, not in black and white, but in a kaleidoscope of colours. ‘The Colour of Antiquity’ is a four-part series that paints a vivid picture of the past, using cutting-edge technology and meticulous research.

Malta, with its rich history dating back to the Neolithic period, is a star in this series. From the ancient temples of Mnajdra and Ġgantija to the Roman villas and medieval streets of Mdina, our islands are a living museum. And now, thanks to ARTE, we can see them as our ancestors did – in all their colourful glory.

How They Did It

So, how did ARTE manage to colour our past? The process is a fascinating blend of science and art. It involves painstaking research into ancient pigments, textiles, and materials. Then, using advanced digital technology, they recreate these colours and apply them to historical scenes.

For Malta, this meant delving into our unique history. The team studied everything from the red ochre used in the Ġgantija temples to the blue and white ceramics that adorned Roman villas. They even recreated the vibrant frescoes that once decorated the walls of ancient cities like Rome and Pompeii.

What We Can Learn

‘The Colour of Antiquity’ isn’t just about making history look pretty. It’s about understanding it better. Colour wasn’t just about aesthetics in the ancient world. It was a form of communication, a way to express status, and a tool for storytelling.

By seeing our past in colour, we can understand it in a deeper way. We can connect with the people who came before us, who built the temples and streets that still stand today. We can appreciate the art and culture that has shaped our islands.

And perhaps, most importantly, we can learn from it. As we look to the future, understanding our past is crucial. It’s not just about preserving history, but about using it to inform our present and shape our future.

So, the next time you’re walking down Republic Street, or visiting the ancient temples, imagine them in all their colourful glory. Imagine the stories they could tell, the lives they’ve touched, and the lessons they have to teach us.

ARTE’s ‘The Colour of Antiquity’ is a reminder that history isn’t just something that happened in the past. It’s something that’s alive, vibrant, and full of colour. And it’s all around us, waiting to be discovered.

You can catch ‘The Colour of Antiquity’ on ARTE, or stream it online. It’s a journey through time that you won’t want to miss.

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“History is not just about dates and events. It’s about people, and their stories. And those stories are always more vivid in colour.” – Dr. Miriam Attard, Archaeologist and Historian

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