A Speculation on the Origin of Roads
Let us migrate to the primitive roads. How does a pathway form, especially if one does not intend to create one? As most inventions, perhaps the road was also an accident. Did we even give it much though, the autopilot taking over on the course of habit. The desire path is a shortcut taken typically on a sidewalk to cut corners: The repeated trampling of the grass by multiple individuals through a course of time results in a bald patch on the grass, formed in a linear pathway. We can imagine the first paths forming in the same subconscious, particular way.
In the world of the hunting-gathering tribes, the hunt followed an irregular path which was dependent on the trail of the prey. Perhaps certain areas were utilized by the prey: to migrate, to drink water, or as feeding grounds. These would be known hunting areas, including trails one can follow. (“Natchez Trace”) The gathereres paths would depend on the desired soils of the plants they collect: The berry bushes, the fertile lands, the forests of fruit trees. Marginal plants which grow by lakes to make wicker baskets. These would be more regular paths heading to stagnant sites. Through repeated visits, the locals would develop the shortest and efficient path to victory. Despite their invisibleness, these paths are known: the penetration of soles balding the soil while making way. One theory of how agriculture developed is that the grains the gatherers collected and carried using bags would sometimes roll off bit by bit to the ground, eventually growing into tall wheats themselves around and by the trail. This is how they discovered that they can carry these wheats into locations of their choice in their desired amounts, by transporting their seeds. This theory assumes that the people used the same exact path repeatedly for each of their trips to the wheat sights.
“Natchez Trace”
Treading open lands vs a closed area such as rocky mountains or forests where view is obscured: Finding path a path depends almost solely on sight. Listening allows communication with surroundings for seeing the unseen. A waterfall splashing from far away, birds chirping and running away from something, a branch snapping behind you. You determine what is good or bad for you by its scent. However, what can you really see when you are in a forest. The stars maybe, if it isnt cloudy, to find your direction, openings on your way (and places that are impenetrable) a lot that you cant see
