A road leading from Biel and Petinesca (Studen) to the north, through the Jura Mountains, has been investigated at Péry, Sonceboz and Tavannes.
From Péry to Tavannes. Google Maps.At Péry the road was discovered in the 1980's. A stretch of some 15 m. was archaeologically examined in 1994. The road had two grooves cut into the rock, 1.07 m. apart. Traces of four steps have been preserved, which made it easier for pack animals to climb.
View of the cart tracks. Photo: Wikimedia, Chriusha.Near the road is a niche carved into the rock (w. 0.70, h. 0.87, d. 0.40-0.42). Above the niche is a groove, 1.505 m. wide, in which a wooden roof was inserted. It was later regarded as a representation of a fathom, a standard measure. Together with Saint Martin it gave the locality its name: in French Toise de Saint-Martin, in German Martinsklafter.
View of the niche. Photo: Wikimedia, Chriusha.The niche may have contained an inscription in honour of Mars, which came to light a bit further down the valley during work in 1918 (it had been thrown down during construction work in 1854). The inscription would have been accompanied by a statuette. Later Saint Martin would take the place of Mars.
MARTI
M(arcus) MACCIVS SABINVS
EX VISSVTo Mars.
Marcus Maccius Sabinus,
after a vision.W. 0.515, h. 0.24.
Kolb et al. 2022, nr. 334.
Photo: EDCS-11201819.In and around the niche letters and numbers were carved, including years in the 17th century. The road was used until the middle of the 19th century, when a new road was built.
Reconstruction drawing of the niche. Gerber 1997, Fig. 30. Drawing of the graffiti in and near the niche. Gerber 1997, Fig. 33.
The location in a woodprint from 1803 by J.J. Hartmann. Wikimedia, Swiss National Library.
Literature
Drack-Fellmann 1988, 467-468; Drack-Fellmann 1991, 203-204; Gerber 1997.
[9-Nov-2023]
