The Etruscan World (Routledge Worlds)

Adriana Emiliozzi

footboard

rear finial

Figure 4 1.4 The reconstruction of the fast chariot from Populonia, Tumulo dei Carri

(project by A. Emiliozzi, drawing by G. Corsi).

turned freely in the axle arms, obtained by thinning the two ends of the axle. The length
of the axle arms matched the size of the hubs, with a surplus useful for inserting the
linchpin that kept the wheels in place. The length of the hub was important, so as to
guarantee the stability of the vehicle. This was carved from a tree trunk, trimmed so as
to obtain the greatest diameter in the central portion, to which were joined six, eight
or more spokes. These spokes, suitably filed to create less resistance to the movement
of rotation were mortized into the hub and the felloe (the wooden circle that forms the
circumference of a wheel). In Etruria the most common method of constructing a felloe
consisted of two concentric layers of wood, which were joined together. The outside layer
was formed of segments that were arcs of a circle cut from planks (usually four segments,
but they could also be in three) and the inside layer was a branch shaped under steam.
In less frequent cases the felloe was composed of single segments or of two concentric
branches. The junctions between the parts were affixed with nailed clamps, usually of
metal, but also of untanned hides, possibly decorated with a sheathing of a thin sheet
of bronze nailed on the outer side. The tire (the part that touches the road) was always
constructed of two semi-circles of iron bands, nailed to the felloe through holes prepared
prior to assembly.
On the central stretch of the axle was attached the floor frame, on which was constructed
the box of the vehicle. The floor frame was made by either steam-bending a tree branch,
which was then closed behind with a crossbar or by joining together four separately
constructed elements: in the first case (steam-bending) the chassis assumed the shape of a
“U ” with the arms of the “U ” flared slightly to the sides; and in the second case, a nearly-
rectangular shape that is less rounded across the front. The floor was made of woven
tongues or strips, also seen in vehicles in Egypt and the Near East. The material used
in Etruria seems to have been untanned hide, which was secured to the frame while still
damp through holes along the perimeter (Fig 41.5); as it dried, the woven leather became
so stiff that it could support the weight of the crew and so elastic that it could absorb the
effects of shaking that could otherwise have torn the rigid substructure.

railings

tire clamps

axle

felloe

nave/hub