Methods of date assignment for cart-ruts in the Maltese Islands : discussing relationships with Bronze Age fortified settlements on promontories

Abstract

A divergence of opinions characterises the literature discussing the period of use of cart-ruts in the Maltese Islands. A /lIulti-period use and problems in the methodology applied to date these features are identified as causes for this situation. Insightsfrom 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 settlelllents on promontories and a claimed loss offunction 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.