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Documentary · Ancient Greek art · Colour and reconstruction

Polychromia: Archaeology of Colors — Ancient Greece

Stage to confirm · 2026

Classical Greece

Olivier Lemaître investigates the lost colours of ancient Greek art in a documentary listed by ARTE.

Official Polychromia: Archaeology of Colors — Ancient Greece cover with three differently coloured ancient sculpted heads
Polychromia: Archaeology of Colors — Ancient Greece — official key art. ARTE Distribution / Sequana Media Productions / NDR / NHK · Image source

The production story

The documentary follows scientific investigation into the appearance of ancient artworks and monuments, challenging the familiar image of an entirely white classical world.

ARTE’s distribution page identifies the director, producers, 52- and 90-minute versions and a 2026 production year. The catalogue entry alone does not establish whether filming continues, delivery is complete or a public premiere has taken place.

Known filming locations

Knossos and the Parthenon sculptures are subjects in the synopsis. They are not treated here as confirmed filming locations.

Developments

  1. 2026 catalogue · checked 11 September

    ARTE lists the title and production credits. Current production stage remains unconfirmed. Source ↗

Further viewing and context

Independent productions exploring connected subjects; inclusion does not imply Archaeopolis involvement.

Related Archaeopolis expertise

Dress, objects and material settings for projects exploring ancient Greek art and daily life.

Explore Classical Greece Production Support →

For the documentary’s Knossos strand and Cretan material settings:

Explore Minoan World Production Support →

Independent production monitoring — inclusion does not imply a collaboration with Archaeopolis.