Misraħ Għar il-Kbir


Misrah Ghar il-Kbir is a prehistoric site in Siġġiewi, in the south of the Island of Malta, near the Dingli Cliffs. It is best known for its "cart ruts" - a complex network of tracks gouged in the rock. The age and purpose of the tracks is uncertain. In general, most archaeologists presume that the site developed about 2000 BC after new settlers came over from Sicily, starting the Bronze Age in Malta.
It is reported that the "Clapham Junction" nickname was given by an Englishman, who later reported that it reminded him of the busy railway station Clapham Junction in London.

Origin of the tracks

Similar tracks can be found in a number of sites on both the major islands. Busewdien in St Paul's Bay, Naxxar, San Gwann and Bidnija are good examples on the main Island. Gozo's best are on the Ta’ Ċenċ plateau, Sannat.
Those at Misraћ Gћar il-Kbir are up to deep and have an average distance between them of. Some cross while others form junctions, creating the illusion of a great railway station switching yard.
Research published in 2008 describes them as caused by wooden-wheeled carts eroding soft limestone. An analysis was made of the stresses that would have been caused by a cart which would fit the ruts. Professor Mottershead of Portsmouth University said "The underlying rock in Malta is weak and when it’s wet it loses about 80 per cent of its strength. The carts would have first made tracks in the soil but when that eroded, the cartwheels ran directly on the bedrock, making it easier for other carts to follow the same tracks.>>>Mottershead, Derek; Alastair Pearson & Martin Schaefer

Antiquity Vol 82:318, 2008 pp 1065-1079