Wednesday, 30 January 2013

From Timgad to Pikillacta

Cardo Maximus Road in Timgad
Thamugadi, or Timgad, was once an advanced and properous Roman colony located near the Aures Mountains in Northern Algeria. Today it is a decrepit ruin. The remains were discovered in the late 1800s, buried beneath centuries of sand buildup. The city was founded by the Roman Emperor Trajan around 100 AD. Timgad was laid out with great meticulousness, showing the high standards of Roman urban planning. The buildings were constructed using only stone and the streets were lined with slabs of limestone. There were many different size houses within the community, as well as public service buildings and social gathering places. Several Roman structures were erected as a symbol of the power and affluence at the time. Archaeologists have also discovered a large aqueduct which was used to transport storm water to the settlement. The sewage and drainage systems implemented by the Romans were remarkably complex and efficient, using the natural flow of rain water through underground channels to flush away human waste. As you can see in the image below, Timgad embraced the Roman urban planning guidlines, by its incredible grid-like road system. What was the purpose of the grid system? Increased mobility and equality in land ownership. The division of land between the Romans and the African locals satisfied all inhabitants of the city. Roman citizenship was primarily granted to those who had finalized their service with the Roman army. Timgad was the ideal Roman community and the epitome of power.
Timgad's grid road network

Similar to the structure we see in Timgad, Pikillacta, Peru embodies many of the features mentioned above. Pikillacta is located in near Cuzco, in the Lucre Basin. Aqueducts and canal systems were used to provide and move water throughout the city. Many symbolic structures were constructed to show wealth and authority. A heavy emphasis was placed on the grid road pattern, as we saw in Timgad. Large and heavy walls were used to define space within the settlement. Based on its unyielding design, it appears that the city was used primarily for bureaucratic and militaristic purposes rather than for residential use. Located within broad and tall exterior walls, we can deduce that Pikillacta was a warmongering city, ready for any attack upon them. The grandiose size of the settlement goes to show how the power dynamics influenced the population. Mass numbers of people came together to build the monumental structures and develop the city.

Fortified walls surrounding Pikillacta
After learning more about both Timgad and Pikillacta, I can draw many similarities and dissimilarities. Both civilizations utilized similar architectural features to unify people and carry out daily activities. The grid road network in both sites created a sense of organization and the central gathering spaces provided entertainment and social exchange. Both cities were heavily fortified, making for a more hostile environment as the citizens lived in fear of attack. Timgad, however, was a little more oriented for family living for those who gave a large portion of their lives to the Roman army, while the Peruvian village was geared more for defence.

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