A causeway is an early form of transportation system, consisting of a narrow, man-made earthen or rock structure that bridged a waterway. Causeways may cross defensive structures such as moats, irrigation structures such as canals, or natural wetlands such as marshes or fens. Most of the earliest causeways date to the Neolithic period in Europe.
Causeways were particularly important form of connection in lowland areas such as those settled by the Maya civilization. There, causeways (known as sacbeob and illustrated in the photo, connected Maya cities for distances up to 100 kilometers (63 miles).
Sources and Further Information
This glossary entry is a part of the About.com Guides to Archaeology Site Types and Ancient Forms of Transportation and part of the Dictionary of Archaeology.
