Oldest Public Transportation System infographic

An infographic of the archaeological dig that discovered the world's oldest public transportation system.

©2013 James Mathurin

The earliest public transport network

The earliest public transport network was a system of catapults unearthed in the ruins of the ancient Aztec city of Zingalamaduni, dated to around the 13th Century AD. With 17 temples and 3 palaces, it is believed that the catapults were devised to allow priests to perform several religious rites at different sites in quick succession, particularly at times of lunar or solar eclipse, when both sacrifices, marriages, baptisms and magistrates’ hearings would all be conducted within a very short time frame. It is believed that the system was abandoned after one disastrous eclipse, where a catapulting mix-up led to a groom being sacrificed, his bride-to-be being married to a new-born prince, a goat being baptised and the high priest being catapulted straight into the wall of a temple, killing him instantly.

This photograph shows a team of archaeologists excavating the Zingalamaduni site in 2003. The site was hailed by the dig's leader, Professor Bryan Philpot, as a "truly exciting find, especially when I was accidentally thrown 20 metres by a remarkably well-preserved catapult!" Photograph by Odense Bys Museer.

©2013 James Mathurin

Smallest Public Transportation System

The world’s smallest Public Transportation Network is in the Leisure compound lived in by reclusive Albanian Pop-star Miklik. Converted from a mine shaft on an Island in the middle of a lake near his hometown, Miklik’s estate covers some 35 square meters, but extends 17 stories underground.

One of the buses that services Miklik's estate. The minute size of the estate means that the buses cannot actually turn, but come to rest on a series of strategically-placed revolving platforms. Photo provided by So gesehen.

©2008 James Mathurin