Era Date Mobility
Paleolithic c. 700,000 years ago First migrations from Africa
c. 35,000 years ago First migrations by sea to Australasia
c. 18,000 years ago First migrations to the Americas
Agrarian c. 4,000 BC Animal-powered transport
c. 3,500 BC Wheeled transport
c. 1,500 BC Long distance navigation in Polynesia
c. 1,000 BC Roads and canals
Modern From 15th century Improvements in shipbuilding and navigation
From early 19th century Railways and steamships
From late 19th century Internal combustion engines
From early 20th century Air travel
From mid 20th century Space travel

Source: adapted from R. Gilbert and A. Perl (2007) Transport Revolutions: Moving people and freight without oil, London: Earthscan / James & James

Transport Revolutions in Human History

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