WHEELED VEHICLES AND ROAD HISTORY

WHEEL
• Wheel was invented probably in Western Asia – such invention was a milestone
and a great step forward in transportation
– As wheels was perfected, crude cards and wagons began to appear in TIGRIS-
EUPHRATES VALLEY about 3500 B.C., and later in CRETE EGYPT AND CHINA.
– The wheel was one of man’s greatest inventions. It enabled him to transport
burdens beyond the power of man or animals to carry or drag, and permitted
much greater facility of movements.
 Ljubijana Marshes Wooden Wheel

• This is the oldest wheel ever found un Europe or anywhere in the world. This was discovered by
two Slovene archaeologists in April 2002 in the Ljubijana Marshes in Slovenia.
 EARLIEST TYPES OF WHEELED CARTS
• SOLID WHEELS ON FIXED AXLE – this ancient cart represent an early step in the evolution of
wheeled vehicles.
• SUMERIAN CHARIOT WITH FLANK WHEELS – this chariot, of about 2400 B.C., had solid wheels
built up of three pieces, and so was more durable than one piece wheel.
• GREEK QUADRICA WITH SPOKED WHEELS – drawn by four horses, was a light and elegant vehicle
for gentleman about 250 B.C. It had spoked wheels and axles of irons or bronze, handles for aid in
mounting, and seat formed by a board placed across the handles.
• ITALIAN COCCHIO, 1228 – a travelling wagon in which the passengers were protected by a covering
of leather or cloth fixed over a wooden framework
 ANCIENT ROME
• The following are the ancient wheeled vehicles in Ancient Rome.
– ARCERA
– ARCIMA
– BASTERNA
– BENNA
– CARPENTUM
– CARRUCA
– CARRUS
– CISIUM
– PILENTUM
– FOUR-WHEELED PLAUSTRUM
– RAEDA
– SARRACUM
– TENSA