czwartek, 30 września 2021

Koleiny w wapieniu - The cart ruts in Malta and Gozo

This site is one of the Cart Ruts in Gozo (other at Sannat cliffs) and Malta - close to Dingli, Naxxar and San Gwann.




There is not much information of the purpose of these ruts, and nobody knows what period of history they represent, but in any case, they are evidence of intense human activity during a particular era.

I have found three different C.R. in this location. Some of them deep some shallow with average distance between them of 110 to 140 cm.

Wikipedia:

 "cart ruts", a complex network of tracks carved in the rock. The age and purpose of the tracks is uncertain. In general, most archaeologists presume that the site developed about 2000 BC after new settlers came over from Sicily, starting the Bronze Age in Malta.

It is reported that the "Clapham Junction" nickname was given by an Englishman, who later reported that it reminded him of the busy railway station Clapham Junction in London.

Origin of the tracks

Similar tracks (known and signposted in Malta as Cart Ruts) can be found in a number of sites on both the major islands. Busewdien in St Paul's BayNaxxarSan Gwann and Bidnija are good examples on the main Island. Gozo's best are on the Ta’ Ċenċ plateau, Sannat.

Those at Misraћ Gћar il-Kbir are up to 60 centimetres (24 in) deep and have an average distance between them of 110 to 140 cm (43 to 55 in). Some cross while others form junctions, creating the illusion of a great railway station switching yard.


Research published in 2008 describes them as caused by wooden-wheeled carts eroding soft limestone. An analysis was made of the stresses that would have been caused by a cart which would fit the ruts. Professor Mottershead of Portsmouth University said "The underlying rock in Malta is weak and when it’s wet it loses about 80 per cent of its strength. The carts would have first made tracks in the soil but when that eroded, the cartwheels ran directly on the bedrock, making it easier for other carts to follow the same tracks


https://www.cartrutsmalta.com/

http://www.ancient-wisdom.com/maltacartruts.htm

*https://www.guidememalta.com/en/stranger-things-could-malta-s-so-called-cart-ruts-not-be-cart-ruts-at-all


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