With phos4dtools, a Python-based front end was developed for the Radiance light simulation software and the Raytraverse software based on it for zonal, i.e. temporally and spatially extended simulation. Phos4dtool performs recurring tasks such as converting data, controlling simulation sequences, creating program-specific configurations and providing results in a format suitable for data transfer to the GIS system. It fitted to the need of lighting simulation in ancient built environments providing suitable settings and configuration options in temporal hours and naming conventions of room book as used by archaeologists.