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The cart ruts of Malta: an applied geomorphology approach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Derek Mottershead ,
Alastair Pearson  and
Martin Schaefer
Derek Mottershead
Affiliation:
*Department of Geography, University of Portsmouth, Buckingham Building, Lion Terrace, Portsmouth PO1 3HE, UK (Email: derek.mottershead@port.ac.uk)
Alastair Pearson
Affiliation:
*Department of Geography, University of Portsmouth, Buckingham Building, Lion Terrace, Portsmouth PO1 3HE, UK (Email: derek.mottershead@port.ac.uk)
Martin Schaefer
Affiliation:
*Department of Geography, University of Portsmouth, Buckingham Building, Lion Terrace, Portsmouth PO1 3HE, UK (Email: derek.mottershead@port.ac.uk)
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Abstract

The mysterious rock-cut cart ruts of Malta are here examined by geomorphologists. They find that the ruts could be caused by two-wheeled carts with a gauge of 1.40m carrying moderate loads. In wet weather the carts would gradually cut into the limestone and reach their ground clearance of 0.675m, causing the carriers to try another route – so there are plenty of them.

Keywords

Maltauncertain agecart rutstransportwheeled vehicles
Type
Method
Information
Antiquity , Volume 82 , Issue 318 , December 2008 , pp. 1065 - 1079
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd 2008

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