WHEEL WITH AN AXLE
While taking wood samples in one of the drainage ditches at the Stare Gmajne pile dwelling near Vrhnika in 2002, archaeologists discovered two logboats and a wooden wheel with an axle, belonging to a two-wheel cart. The wheel is com¬posed of two ash wood plates, joined with four oak wedges. The axle is made from a single piece of oak wood, with a rectangular ending fitting into the opening of the wheel. The choice of wood, consideration of wood movement, and joinery details all suggest that this was the work of a skilled wheelwright who knew the properties of different types of wood. Due to its technological perfection, the 5,200 year-old-wheel with an axle is a unique artefact on a global scale.
Site: Stare Gmajne, Verd near Vrhnika
Period: Copper Age
Dating: around 3,200 BC
Wood: ash, oak
Wheel diameter: 72 cm, axle length: 125 cm
Kept by: MGML, 510:LJU;0035518, 510:LJU;0035519
Scientific publication: A. Velušček et al., Koliščarska naselbina Stare gmajne in njen čas (Stare gmajne Pile-dwelling settlement and Its Era), 2009.
Permanent exhibition: Ljubljana. History. City. City Museum of Ljubljana, Gosposka ulica 15, Ljubljana