Investigating historical traffic routes and cart-ruts
in Switzerland,
Elsass (France) and Aosta Valley (Italy)
Guy Schneider1
1. Inventory of historical traffic routes in Switzerland
(IVS.), Finkenhubelweg 11, 3012 Berne, Switzerland
INTRODUCTION
In a research project carried out within the context of making an inventory
of historical traffic routes in Switzerland (IVS.), ten cart-rut sites
have been investigated in Switzerland, Elsass (France) and Aosta Valley
(Italy). While cart-ruts at these sites are generally ascribed to the Roman
period, the research has revealed that most of the available evidence points
towards a more recent date. In two cases it was possible to determine the
period of use, starting from the thirteenth and sixteenth century respectively
and ending in the eighteenth century. Furthermore cart-ruts discovered
in the region exhibit a whole range of gauges, challenging claims for a
standard gauge. Considering the recent interest in the subject experienced
in Central Europe and the Mediterranean, this work is intended to be a
contribution to a hopefully intensified interdisciplinary and international
research in the future.