Enlightening Cross-Section Uncovers 4,000 Years of Heritage Along an English Roadway
A layered cross-section of a road in the United Kingdom narrates an intriguing tale of the nation. The illustration, which has been shared online for numerous years, displays thousands of years of materials ranging from a Bronze Age path to contemporary asphalt. Particularly captivating is that the road depicted is the A303, which traverses the Stonehenge World Heritage Site.
Beginning with a chalk base, the cross-section gradually accumulates, forming a visual narrative of England’s past. After the Bronze Age, the ancient Romans, whose dominion spanned England, are portrayed by a well-known stone-paved route. Numerous additional layers of rocky substances appear as we transition from the medieval era to modernity.
Examining these materials is also captivating from an engineering standpoint. As advancements in technology and transportation occurred, so too did the roads that facilitated the movement of people and goods. The cross-section serves as a reminder that history is not obliterated but often merely buried, and that we tread upon a palimpsest awaiting exploration.
Though it’s uncertain which segment of the A303 this cross-section originates from and whether it is an authentic sample or a replica, it is known that the highway has been utilized for millennia. One segment of the route even coincides with the Harrow Way, an ancient path recognized as one of the UK’s oldest roads, believed to have been in use since 3,000 BCE. Another section corresponds with the Fosse Way, a Roman road dating back to 49 CE.
Genuine or illustrative, this compelling exhibition of history invites us to delve deeper and reflect on the world right beneath our feet (or wheels).
A cross-section of a British road prompts contemplation on the construction methods of civilizations like the Romans.
Notably, the display features the A303, a roadway that passes by Stonehenge and has been in service for centuries.
The A303 with Stonehenge in the background. (Photo: Ashley Columbus via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)
Source: A Slice of England’s Iconic A303 Road Shows How It Changed Over Thousands of Years
Related Articles:
Roman Road Is Found Buried Under an English Village Schoolyard
Ancient Roman Roads in Italy Transformed Into Modern Subway Map
Vatican Museums Open Ancient Roman Necropolis of ‘Via Triumphalis’ to the Public
Pompeii’s Ancient Roads Had Raised Crosswalks for People to Safely Avoid the Muddy Streets