Timgad vs. Pikillacta

Ancient ruins found throughout the world can be seen as a glimpse into past. The architecture found in these locations is evidence of empire conquests and colonization. This week’s post looks at the similarities and differences between two archeological sites, the Roman colonial center of Thamugadi (Timgad) and the Wari military center of Pikillacta. Using digital maps and web-based content, I will explore each of the built forms and reflect on their empire’s cultural and societal values.

Timgad, the royal ruins of Algeria, was created as a military colony under the rule of Emperor Trajan. In contrast to the organic site up of Rome, this colonized region depicts precise planning of the land into clearly defined spaces by the Romans. This was meant to show the need to be one unified group under Roman authority. The symmetry of the grid layout represents order, stability, and permanence. Over time, the region of Timgad evolved from being a military camp to being a place that also catered to public assemblies and religious practices. Viewing a map of Timgad, one can see typical Roman buildings such as a Forum in the main hub of the city with important commercial and civic buildings around it. Other buildings like theatres and baths were located nearby followed by residential housing of the lower class in the outer perimeter.

 Timgad. http://depts.washington.edu/arch350/Assets/Slides/Lecture25.gallery/source/timgad_city_plan.htm.

 

 

 Timgad. http://megaconstrucciones.net/?construccion=Timgad.

 

 

Similar to Timgad, the Wari military center of Pikillacta, which is now located in modern Peru, spanned a large area featuring a similar grid system. This grid system can be subdivided into four sectors that appear to be similar to how Wari architectures divided their land at that time.  Each sector possessed its own unique rectangular compounds. Additionally, similar to Timgad, the large rectangular enclosure of Pikillacta contained structures that were also organized on a hierarchy of space. Both Timgad and Pikillacta also exhibited uneven terrains so great effort was made to keep the grid system symmetrical.

 

 

 

Pikillacta.

http://coloradocollege.edu/dept/an/TorresRouff/AN203/AN203nomura/WEBSITE/pikillacta.htm.



 

Pikillacta.

http://www.unitoursperu.com/package/sierra/tour-packages-peru/traditional/south-valley/158.htm.

 

On the other hand, the main difference between Timgad and Pikillacta was that little artifacts and written records from the Wari culture of Pikillacta were found. It is still uncertain whether the buildings in Pikillacta could have been used for residential purposes as well. Therefore, the use of information from other similar cultures had to be used to hypothesize about the possible culture and structure of the Wari empire.  

 

 

 

Work Cited

McEwan, Gordon F., and Nicole Couture. Pikillacta: The Wari Empire in Cuzco. Iowa City, IA: University of Iowa Press, 2005.

 

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Timgad. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/194.

 

 

Virtual Visit to Rome

Having always wanted to visit Rome, this week’s assignment was to take a virtual tour through the city. Using Google Maps street view and Frommer’s walking tour as my guide, I was able to visit some prominent sites in the area. I decided to choose an abridged version of the ‘Rome of the Caesars’ tour, which takes visitors to the most renowned monuments and ruins of ancient Rome.

My setup:

 



https://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&tab=il

 

I started my tour at the Colosseum. The guide described the monument as a “crumbling, oval bulk”, which is an accurate but unflattering description. The rough surface of the Colosseum has many dimples scattered all over the walls. Having seen photos of the structure many times before, I wanted to circle around the perimeter of the building to get a better sense of its size. On the “walk” around, I surprisingly came across the Arch of Constantine. This was not mentioned in the guide, which is unfortunate because the arch displays such intricate detailing that commemorates Constantine’s victory over Maxentius.

The Colosseum. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colosseum (Accessed January 23, 2013).

 

Continuing on my journey, my next stop was the Arch of Titus. Getting lost several times and eventually having to physically place the yellow figure on Google Maps to the exact location of the Arch of Titus, I was only able to see the structure in picture form (not in street view). Being lost in the virtual city is not nearly as stressful as actually being lost in a foreign country but I do feel like I am not getting the most accurate explorative experience. From the pictures taken by other visitors of the site, I was able to see some of the relief work within the arch.

The Arch of Titus. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch_of_Titus (Accessed January 23, 2013).

 

My last stop was to the Basilica Aemilia. As part of the Roman Forums, Frommer’s described this basilica as “the site of great meeting halls and shops”. I was successful in following the path to the basilica but was not able to fully explore the area through street view. I again resorted to the photos taken by previous visitors. It was interesting to the overall layout of the structures still intact.

The Basilica Aemilia. http://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soubor:Basilica_Aemilia_-_Porticus_Gaius_and_Lucius.JPG 

(Accessed January 23, 2013). 

From this virtual tour, it allowed me experience the truly organic set up of the city, amount of traffic present, and the terrain (mostly cobble stone walkways) of the environment. Although using Frommer’s as a guide to the main sites in ancient Rome gave me a basic idea of what to expect, I did wish there was more historical information and better directions incorporated. In the future, if I were to visit Rome, I would mostly likely use more than one guide or just hire a tour guide.

 

 

Frommer's. "Walking Tour 1." http://www.frommers.com/destinations/rome/0064020033.html"

 

 

Introductions

Hello Readers,

My name is Samantha Chan. I am a fourth year student at the University of Western Ontario studying Visual Arts and Biology. This blog is created as a class assignment for my Histories of Urbanism and Architecture course. It is meant to be a place to express my views and analyze examples of the built form, specifically architecture and urbanism. Although I only have a basic understanding of architecture and urbanism, I am very intrigued by the various topics that will be addressed within the course. After taking a geography course regarding Africa South of the Sahara, it has opened by eyes to how advanced and urbanized parts of these countries actually are. This really made me realize how urbanism has expanded over time. I am excited to share with you my perspective of the history of urbanism and architecture and how it has affected the world we live in today.

To get to know more about what styles of architecture I am most inspired by, I have chosen to include an image of Hotel Dubai Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Although I have seen many plans and video animations of what the future of Dubai could look like, I think this structure made the world notice that these buildings, although some completely outrageous, could actually be achieved.

  Thanoslim. Burj Al Arab. 2009. http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Middle_East/United_Arab_Emirates/West/Dubai/Dubai/photo1390999.htm

Maryam Monalisa Gharavi. Burj Al Arab. 2012. http://thenewinquiry.com/blogs/southsouth/semeiotic-dubai-peirce-and-pop-architecture/

Created by British architecture, Tom Wright, the 1,053 feet structure was completed in 1999. It stands on an artificial island called Jumeirah. To get to the island and hotel from the mainland, a private causeway can be taken. It is interesting how the structure of the building resembles the sail of a type of Arabian vessel. The client wanted a building that would become the symbol of Dubai, just like how the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben are the symbols for Paris and London. I think the ambitious architecture of the hotel has achieved this recognition it wanted to achieve.

Overall, I find this building to be one of the most innovative structures today. I believe it is important to continue to keep an eye on the structures created in Dubai. They are truly revolutionizing architecture and urbanism.

Dexter, David, and Tom Wright. “Burj Al Arab Hotel Duba: Information + Images.” Accessed January 16, 2013. http://www.e-architect.co.uk/dubai/burj_al_arab_tower.htm