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Timgad, Algeria - public latrines in Roman ruins
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Timgad, Algeria - public latrines in Roman ruins
The ruins of what was once Timgad, a Roman colonial town in Algeria, founded by the Emperor Trajan around 100AD. The city is known for being one of the best surviving examples of the grid plan in Roman city planning, and was sacked by the Vandals in the 5th century. Visible are the public latrines.
circa 1910s
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Media ID 14379768
© The Roseries Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
Algeria Algerian Civic Facilities Jan16 Latrine Paving Planning Ruin Ruined Stones Timgad Toilet Toilets Latrines
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the ruins of Timgad, a Roman colonial town located in present-day Algeria, North Africa. Founded by Emperor Trajan around 100 AD, Timgad is renowned for its exceptional preservation of the Roman grid plan, which was a hallmark of urban design during the Roman Empire. The city's streets were meticulously planned and paved with stones, creating a well-organized and efficient urban layout. In this image, the remnants of the public latrines stand out among the ruins. These facilities were an essential component of Roman civic infrastructure, providing sanitation for the community. The latrines were typically located near public baths and were accessible to all residents, reflecting the Roman belief in the importance of public health and hygiene. The latrines in Timgad were built with stone benches, each with a drainage channel underneath to collect waste. The seats were designed to allow for optimal comfort and privacy, with small partitions between each one. The roofs were supported by arches, providing shelter from the elements. The photograph was taken in the 1910s, during a time when European explorers and archaeologists were rediscovering the rich history of the Roman Empire in North Africa. The ruins of Timgad, with its well-preserved public latrines, offer a fascinating glimpse into the past, revealing the ingenuity and sophistication of Roman urban planning and infrastructure.
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