Presented By; Al-Quqa, Qayes Wael

Wheeled Vehicles and Road History

Concept
As man, from ancient times to the 20th Century, they need an easier form of
transportation of goods and people to at least save time, money and efforts.
It was stated that in man first travelled by foot. And after that they used to train animals to
bring a small amount of loads which it can carry.
The following are some of the inventions and innovations which lead to modernize land
transportation;
Wheel
The wheel was probably invented in Western Asia this invention was a great milestone in
means of transportation. But some pieces of evidence it may be simultaneously made in
Southwest Asia and Mesopotamia.
The Wheel was perfected when being used on crude carts and wagons. It began to
appear in Tigris-Euphrates Valley at about 3500 B.C..
Ljubljana Marshes Wooden Wheel
The wheel which was first found in Europe or any other places within the Earth. This was
discovered by two Slovene archaeologists in 2002. When carbon dated it was found out it might be
created 5,200 years ago.

Solid wheel on fixed axle

This ancient cart represents an early step in evolution of wheeled vehicles. It is made of a single
piece of wood, rotated on a single axis.

Sumerian Chariot With flank wheels

The chariot, of 2400 B.C., Had solid wheels up to three parts to be much more durable.

Greek quadrica with spoked wheels

Drawn by four horses, was a light and elegant vehicle for gentlemen from 250 B.C..

Italian Cocchio 1288

A traveling wagon in which the passengers were protected by a covering of leather or cloth.

ANCIENT ROME
Arceca
It has four wheels, a cover and was generally drawn by two or more horses. The outside
consisted unsewn boards covered by loose drapery. This vehicle was especially used to convey the sick
and infirm and was sufficient size to allow occupants to recline.

Arcima
It was a small conveyance that is large enough only for one person

Basterna
It was commonly used by women when travelling and was borne by two mules, one before and
one behind each hitched to separate pair of shafts.
Benna
This four wheeled conveyance is made of wicker work and was Gallic origin. It can accommodate
several persons when traveling.

Carpentum
Used by Romans in as early as 500 B.C. and as late as 5 th century of the Christian era. It is a
covered carriage with two wheels had seats for two or three and was usually drawn by two mules, horses
or even oxen.
Presented By; Al-Quqa, Qayes Wael

Carruca
This vehicle had four wheels, with the front smaller than the two behind. This had a cover and
was drawn by two to four horses or mules. It was often ornamented by carvings in bronze and ivory and
by chasings in silver and gold. Members of the imperial families were fond of travelling using this kind of
coach.

Carrus
A cart with two wheels and boarded sides. It was drawn by oxen or bullocks and was mainly used
by the Roman armies for the transportation of goods.

Cisium
A light open vehicle of Gallic origin, had two wheels and room for two persons. It also has a box
or case beneath the seat for small baggage. It is usually used for rapid travels.

Pilentum
Used chiefly by women of the upper classes. It was furnished with cushions, had a cover top, but
open sides. This was also used on state occasions by Roman matrons, priests and vestal virgins. In this,
they carried sacred vessels and rode in processions and public games.

Four wheeled plaustrum

Usually employed for heavy burdens but were also used for travelling.

Raeda
Was common among the Romans during the last century of the republic. A commodious vehicle
of Gallic origin and had four wheels, this was used by a man when he travelled with his family because
this has sufficient room for several persons together with their luggage.

Sarracum
Used by ancient roman farmers as a traveling vehicle for themselves and their family.

Tensa
A sacred vehicle elaborately ornamented with ivory and silver, had either two or four wheels and
was drawn by four horses this carriage was used during Circensian games, to carry the images of deities.

Wheeled vehicles and carriages

It cannot be used when it comes up to narrow paths and trails used by pack animals, and early
roads were soon built to accommodate the larger transportation vehicles.

The Romans
They were the major road builders in the ancient world. The romans road network reach a total
about 50,000 miles, with feeder roads branching out from main highways.

John L. Macadam
He did not abandon the theory of feeder road building and perfected the macadamized road in
England about 1815.

After the fall of the Romans

In the 5th century, land haulage generally declined because highways suffered from inadequate
maintenance. Such improvements however, as the horse collars. The addition of spring to coaches, new
methods of road construction, and the introduction of toll roads all continued to ease and speed land
travel. The invention of larger carriages and vehicles pulled either by human beings or animals.