The statue of Zeus at Olympia was destroyed 1,500 years ago.

The statue of Zeus was destroyed.It lives again thanks to 3D printing.

3D printing has been used to create replicas of historical artifacts.The Millennium Gate Museum in Atlanta has collaborated with 3D printing companies to recreate a statue that was destroyed over 1,500 years ago.

Visitors to the Temple of Zeus in Olympia, Greece, were in for a treat when they saw the 13 metres (43 feet) tall statue of the god Zeus.It was built around 435 BC and would have made an imposing sight.Its core was wood, covered with gold and ivory, and it sat on a cedar wood throne decorated with gems.

The statue stood for over 850 years and is now considered one of the Seven Wonders.It was added to the collection of Lausus after it was seized and taken to Constantinople.This was to be its final resting place.The Palace of Lausus and Constantinople were destroyed by fire in 475.

There were depictions on coins and descriptions of travellers.The style of the famous Zeus statue was copied by later statues.

The statue no longer existed as the biggest challenge.museum director Jeremy Kobus said in an email that 3DPTree and museum curators collaborated to conduct extensive research on how it would have looked.

The statue is smaller than the original because it is printed in thermoplastics, rather than gold and ivory.It was made using a 3D printer.