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.
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.
Pikillacta.
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.
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