This particular set
of cart-ruts runs up and over the top of a mountain called '
vale
d'egua', Nr. Piodao.
These cart-ruts are found
at an elevation of approx 800m and appear seemingly in the middle of
nowhere, but it is possible to follow them in both directions for quite a
distance, although they don't seem to appear again as well defined as in the
particular location in the photos above.
There are a couple of
good examples of 'junctions' at the top, which seems a natural enough place
for paths to cross, but there doesn't appear to be allowance for vehicles to
pass each other, which adds to the confusion as to their original purpose.
The
terrain at the top of the mountain is rugged enough to make the passing of
any wheeled vehicle a difficulty, but it is bewildering to find that
although there are sections with well defined ruts, there are also sections
which have hardly any definition, and which remain seemingly un-used.
Alongside
the ruts there are several examples of rock-art or 'arte-rupestre',
including one of a cross on a ball, a classic example of the
Christianisation of a previously 'pagan' site of ritual or worship. The
frequency and symbolic nature of the engravings suggests that the site might
have once been used for a ritual purpose, an idea which is increased by the
discovery of a huge spiral in the valley below.
Portuguese Cart-ruts:
