Methods of Date Assignment for cart-ruts in the Maltese
Islands:
Discussing relationships with Bronze Age fortified settlements
on promontories
Anton Bugeja1
1. Grupp Arkeologiku Malti, PO Box 31, Hamrun HMR 01,
Malta.
ABSTRACT
A divergence of opinions characterises the literature discussing the
period of use of cart-ruts in the Maltese Islands. A multi-period use and
problems in the methodology applied to date these features are identified
as causes for this situation. Insights from such discussion are used to
assess the evidence forwarded to ascribe the cart-rut phenomenon to the
Bronze Age period. This hypothesis is mainly based on a perceived spatial
relationship with fortified Bronze Age settlements on promontories and
a claimed loss of function by the Phoenician period. Reconsideration of
the concepts involved in assigning dates and establishing associations
between different archaeological features, together with a reassessment
of field finds, challenge opinions favouring a Bronze Age date to the cart-ruts.