Discover the oldest road in Britain, the Ridgeway, with 5,000 years of history. Explore the transformation of historical roads in the U.S. and the impact of the innovative Italian Sun Motorway. Uncover the social implications of road connectivity and enjoy a fun listener mail about Galaxy's Edge popcorn varieties.
Read more
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
The Ridgeway showcases the evolution of ancient roads in Britain, connecting historical sites and moments.
The National Road in the US fostered economic growth and westward expansion, highlighting the importance of travel infrastructure.
Deep dives
The Oldest Road in Britain: The Ridgeway
The Ridgeway in England, estimated to be 5,000 years old, serves as the oldest road in Britain, stretching 87 miles from Wiltshire to Buckinghamshire. Initially a network of various paths, it became a single route over time. With historical sites like Wayland Smithy burial mound along the way, it offers access to diverse moments in history, showcasing the evolution of roadways.
The National Road in the United States
The National Road, also known as the Cumberland Road, was the first federally funded road in the US, connecting Maryland to Illinois. Its construction was a response to the need for travel infrastructure beyond river transport, enabling westward expansion. Despite controversies and toll implementations, the road played a crucial role in fostering economic growth and facilitating travel across states.
The Sun Motorway in Italy: Arstrada di Sole
Italy's A1, the Arstrada di Sole, spanning over 470 miles, was a monumental infrastructure project starting in the 1950s. Renowned as the backbone of Italy's highway system, it links major cities like Milan and Naples. Designed by Fadelekova with innovative construction approaches, it revolutionized travel, industry, and engineering standards, paving the way for modern road networks.
Connecting Roads and Communities
The evolution and impact of ancient and modern roads reflect broader societal changes, including growth, commerce, and architectural innovation. Roads like the Ridgeway, National Road, and Sun Motorway demonstrate how infrastructure influences travel, trade, and community development. Despite controversies and challenges, roadways remain integral to historical and modern societies, shaping landscapes and connections.
This episode covers three examples of historically important roads. One is quite ancient, one is an important part of the development of the U.S., and the third is a more modern road that’s been lauded for its design.
Research:
“The Ancient Ridgeway.” Friends of the Ridgeway. https://ridgewayfriends.org.uk/the-trail/the-ancient-ridgeway/·
Atkins, Harry. “The Best Historic Sites in Oxfordshire.” History Hit. May 24, 2022. https://www historyhit.com/guides/the-best-historic-sites-in-oxfordshire/·
“Avebury.” English Heritage. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/avebury/
Benetti, Alessandro. “The bridge-type autogrill, infrastructure and icon of the Italian highways.” Domus. July 27, 2020. https://www.domusweb.it/en/architecture/2020/07/27/infrastructures-and-icons-the-bridge-type-autogrill-by-angelo-bianchetti-and-mario-pavesi.html
Benetti, Alessandro. “Italy’s ‘Sun Motorway,’ the story of an exceptional infrastructure.” Domus. Aug. 5, 2023. https://www.domusweb.it/en/architecture/gallery/2021/07/16/the-sun-motorway-is-65-years-old-a-short-story-of-an-extraordinary-infrastructure.html
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "macadam". Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Aug. 2014, https://www.britannica.com/technology/macadam-road-construction
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Saxony". Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Jun. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/place/Saxony-historical-region-duchy-and-kingdom-Europe
Calvano, Angela & Canducci, Andrea & Rufini, Andrea. (2023). Urban regeneration of public housing settlements, in Rome: the case study of San Basilio district. Renewable Energy and Environmental Sustainability. 8. 10.1051/rees/2023012
Cleaver, Emily. “Against All Odds, England’s Massive Chalk Horse Has Survived 3,000 Years.” Smithsonian. July 6, 2017. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/3000-year-old-uffington-horse-looms-over-english-countryside-180963968/
Ellis, Sian. “Just follow the Ridgeway, Britain’s oldest highway.” British Heritage. April 30, 2024. https://britishheritage.com/travel/the-ridgeway-britains-oldest-highway
Haughton, Brian. “The White Horse of Uffington.” March 30, 2011. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/229/the-white-horse-of-uffington/
“Lane Width.” U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/geometric/pubs/mitigationstrategies/chapter3/3_lanewidth.cfm
Lenarduzzi, Thea. “The Motorway That Built Italy: Piero Puricelli's masterpiece is the focus of an unlikely pilgrimage.” Independent UK. Jan. 30, 2016. https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/the-world-s-first-motorway-piero-puricelli-s-masterpiece-is-the-focus-of-an-unlikely-pilgrimage-a6840816.html
Longfellow, Rickie. “The National Road.” U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. https://highways.dot.gov/highway-history/general-highway-history/back-time/national-road
Mclaughlan, Scott, PhD. “What were the enclosure acts?” The Collector. Nov. 12, 2023. https://www.thecollector.com/what-were-the-enclosure-acts/
McNamara, Robert. "The National Road, America's First Major Highway." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/the-national-road-177405
“The National Road.” National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/articles/national-road.htm
"The Nation's First Mega-Project: A Legislative History of the Cumberland Road" United States Department of transportation. 2021. https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/68561
Nifosi, Giuseppe. “Michelucci's Highway Church.” Art Unveiled. https://www.artesvelata.it/chiesa-autostrada-michelucci/
“RESEARCH AND SOURCES FOR WAYLAND’S SMITHY.” English Heritage. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/waylands-smithy/history/research-and-sources/
“The Ridgeway.” National Trails. https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/the-ridgeway/
“The Ridgeway Information.” National Trails. https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/the-ridgeway/trail-information/
Stenton, F. M. “The Road System of Medieval England.” The Economic History Review, vol. 7, no. 1, 1936, pp. 1–21. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/2590730
“WAYLAND'S SMITHY.” English Heritage. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/waylands-smithy/
“Wayland’s Smithy chambered long barrow, including an early barrow and Rion Age and Roman boundary ditches.” Historic England. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1008409?section=official-list-entry
Whittle, Alasdair & Brothwell, Don & Cullen, Rachel & Gardner, Neville & Kerney, M.. (2014). Wayland's Smithy, Oxfordshire: Excavations at the Neolithic Tomb in 1962–63 by R. J. C. Atkinson and S. Piggott. Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society. 57. 61-101. 10.1017/S0079497X00004515.