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Source Image: PR301_09_06 of Herakles freeing Prometheus panel of Aphrodisias: Sebasteion

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Description

Diagram showing toolmarks on the Sebasteion panel depicting Herakles freeing Prometheus.

Monument
Aphrodisias: Sebasteion 
Monument Part
Herakles freeing Prometheus panel 
Monument Type
Relief 
Material(s)
Aphrodisian marble (Visual identification)  
Date
circa ad 20 - circa ad 60 
Keywords
HeraklesPrometheus  
Collections
Aphrodisias, Site and Museum  

Location

Original Location
Aphrodisias 
Current Location
Aphrodisias Museum 

Evidence for working practices

1. Toolmarks

Process
Roughing-out
Tool
Point
Description
Point chiselling is still visible on this panel in the top corners and along the base, as well as in several of the deeper areas of the relief, all sections which would not have been very visible from the ground.

2. Toolmarks

Process
Rough shaping
Tool
Tooth Chisel
Description
Most of the background has been roughly worked with the tooth chisel to give a deliberately rocky texture. Herakles' cloak and club are also roughly worked with the tooth chisel which was probably used all over the figures too before fine work with the flat chisel.

3. Toolmarks

Process
Fine shaping
Tool
Flat Chisel
Description
All of the figures and the dead eagle in the bottom left have been finely shaped using a flat chisel.

4. Toolmarks

Process
Detailing
Tool
Drill
Method
Vertical (90°)
Description
Drill holes are visible in the hair and beard of Prometheus and the lion skin around Herakles' head and neck.

5. Toolmarks

Process
Detailing
Tool
Channelling Tool
Description
A channelling tool is used to outline all of the main figures and so distinguish them from the rough background.

6. Toolmarks

Process
Smoothing
Tool
Rasp
Description
On the torsos of both Prometheus and Herakles a rasp is used following work with the flat chisel to provide a smooth finish.

Notes

This diagram shows the documentation method used by Peter Rockwell during his analysis of the Sebasteion panels.

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