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Tadej's Wheel

juillet 26, 2026

Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana, is famous for more than being Tadej's birthplace. It's also home to the World's oldest (so far) wheel. If you're a fanatic about wheels, then this is something you ought to know more about. 

History is unclear where and when the first wheels appeared but we certainly know about the oldest one yet found. Discovered during a ditch widening in 2002, the wheel was studied and preserved, dated at 5,200 or more years old, and went on exhibit in 2018.

By 2019 it inspired the Tour of Slovenia trophy. 

Fresh off a win at the Tour of California, but didn't get this one.
The Ljubljana marshes are a vast, low area prone to seasonal flooding for millennia. Consequently home to peat bogs and rich habitat, it's also been difficult to inhabit. Yet, for over 2,500 years it was home for people who adapted to the water, living in houses on pilings. Exactly how and why they thrived is unknown but this wheel was part of their lives.

Ljubljana marshes then.
Ljubljana marshes now.
The wheel was fashioned from two ash boards, joined by four parallel tenons. Boards 1 & 2, axle hole 3, tenons 4x4
Its axle, made of oak with square ends to fit wheels, turned with the wheels.
Wheel and through axle.
Artist depiction of the wheel in use.

The appearance of wheels was a huge event in human history. News of it spread like nothing else we know and the human trajectory was turbo-accelerated. People who mastered the construction of these marvels became famous and surely enjoyed celebrity status. The wheel can be viewed in a permanent exhibit at the National Museum in Ljubljana. Click here to see the exhibition guide (39MB).

Kolo is "wheel" in Slovenian.
Don't you think its makers would enjoy our interest in their design and build? Would they be impressed that after 5,000 years we still use their dimensions—72cm (28") diameter and 5cm (2") width?


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