Allagan Technological level, architecture?

[Enkidoh]

I don't think we can put the Allagan Empire in the same context as straight sf civilizations though, as FFXIV is actually fantasy (technofantasy specifically, but still fantasy nonetheless), and thus most of the apparent wondrous 'advanced technology' is really just handwaved away as 'magical machines' - Dalamud had imprisoned within a giant aetheric dragon for instance.

Also despite the bells and whistles, there is clear evidence there was a very strict divide in their society in even technology - I mean, there is still ruined roads in Thanalan that were named after the Allagan Empire (Royal Allagan Sunway and Royal Allagan Starway), which are just rudimentary paved roads in various states of decay. None of the 'glowing powerlines' and high technology seen in the Crystal Tower and the Binding Coils - just ordinary lumps of stone haphazardly arranged as a path.

Some advanced civilization they are - they couldn't even build a road properly.

[DoctaruRavenbe]

Also despite the bells and whistles, there is clear evidence there was a very strict divide in their society in even technology - I mean, there is still ruined roads in Thanalan that were named after the Allagan Empire (Royal Allagan Sunway and Royal Allagan Starway), which are just rudimentary paved roads in various states of decay. None of the 'glowing powerlines' and high technology seen in the Crystal Tower and the Binding Coils - just ordinary lumps of stone haphazardly arranged as a path.

but could this not be more of time and later people looting these systems of their baubles? I mean in a modern context the Pyramids were raiding by later egyptian of their smooth stones so that they could build houses or sell the ancients in the black market. And we do know that Tomestones are a treasured item among the Upper class of Eorzea.