This article is about the collection of cart ruts. For the cave system nearby, see Ghar il-Kbir.
Misrah Ghar il-Kbir (informally known as Clapham Junction) is a prehistoric site in Siġġiewi, in the south of the Island of Malta, near the Dingli Cliffs. It is best known for its "cart ruts", a complex network of tracks carved in the rock. The age and purpose of the tracks is uncertain with estimates of their origins ranging from the Neolithic to Medieval times and all points in-between. Several researchers have suggested they may have been used in different periods perhaps even for different activities.[1] It appears the ruts could only have been made no later than c.700BC with several examples pointing to a Temple Period date c. 3800-2500BC.[2]
Cart Ruts at Misrah Ghar il-Kbir
It is reported that the "Clapham Junction" nickname was given by archaeologist David H. Trump, who reported that it reminded him of the busy railway station Clapham Junction in London.
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 Bay, Naxxar, San Ġwann 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 rail yard.
In some places in Malta, such as at St. George's Bay on Birżebbuġa, the tracks run into the sea and continue underwater, leading to some media speculation that they were made during the last Ice Age, when the sea level was lower.[citation needed] (The earliest other evidence known of human habitation on Malta is from about 5900 BC).[3]
A cart ruts junction at Ghar il-Kbir
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 percent 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."[4][5]
^Groucutt, Huw S. (2022). "The morphological variability of Maltese 'cart ruts' and its implications". Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. 41: 103287. doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.103287.
misraħ, għar, kbir, this, article, about, collection, cart, ruts, cave, system, nearby, ghar, kbir, misrah, ghar, kbir, informally, known, clapham, junction, prehistoric, site, siġġiewi, south, island, malta, near, dingli, cliffs, best, known, cart, ruts, comp. This article is about the collection of cart ruts For the cave system nearby see Ghar il Kbir Misrah Ghar il Kbir informally known as Clapham Junction is a prehistoric site in Siġġiewi in the south of the Island of Malta near the Dingli Cliffs It is best known for its cart ruts a complex network of tracks carved in the rock The age and purpose of the tracks is uncertain with estimates of their origins ranging from the Neolithic to Medieval times and all points in between Several researchers have suggested they may have been used in different periods perhaps even for different activities 1 It appears the ruts could only have been made no later than c 700BC with several examples pointing to a Temple Period date c 3800 2500BC 2 Cart Ruts at Misrah Ghar il KbirIt is reported that the Clapham Junction nickname was given by archaeologist David H Trump who reported that it reminded him of the busy railway station Clapham Junction in London Contents 1 Origin of the tracks 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksOrigin of the tracks editSimilar 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 Bay Naxxar San Ġwann 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 rail yard In some places in Malta such as at St George s Bay on Birzebbuġa the tracks run into the sea and continue underwater leading to some media speculation that they were made during the last Ice Age when the sea level was lower citation needed The earliest other evidence known of human habitation on Malta is from about 5900 BC 3 nbsp A cart ruts junction at Ghar il KbirResearch 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 percent 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 4 5 See also editDiolkos Absheron s stone roadsReferences edit Groucutt Huw S 2022 The morphological variability of Maltese cart ruts and its implications Journal of Archaeological Science Reports 41 103287 doi 10 1016 j jasrep 2021 103287 um edu mt 700 years added to Malta s history Times of Malta 16 March 2018 Archived from the original on 16 March 2018 Ancient mystery solved by geographers University of Portsmouth 20 Apr 2009 Archived from the original on 29 December 2010 Retrieved 4 July 2010 Mottershead Derek Alastair Pearson amp Martin Schaefer The cart ruts of Malta an applied geomorphology approach Abstract References Antiquity Vol 82 318 2008 pp 1065 1079External links edit nbsp Media related to Misraħ Għar il Kbir at Wikimedia Commons VisitGozo page including the cart ruts35 51 07 N 14 23 48 E 35 8519 N 14 3967 E 35 8519 14 3967 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Misraħ Għar il Kbir amp oldid 1189261701, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
