Editing Transport in Namibia (section)

===History===
The beginnings of organised travel and transport routes in the territory of [[South West Africa]], today [[Namibia]], have not yet been established. This is due to the lack of any written records relating to roads prior to the twilight of the 19th century.{{sfn|Dierks|2001|loc=[https://www.klausdierks.com/Namibian_Roads/1.htm chapter 1 - Introduction to the History of Roads in Namibia]}} Archaeological work has dated one stretch of road in the south-western [[Brandberg Massif]] to {{circa}} 1250 [[AD]]. Although no other such early examples have been found, it is certain that this road was not the only one of its kind.{{sfn|Dierks|2001|loc=[https://www.klausdierks.com/Namibian_Roads/2.htm Chapter 2.1 - The Pre-historic era circa 1250 - circa 1770]}}

The first permanent road, established for [[ox wagon]]s, was built at the initiative of [[Heinrich Schmelen]], [[Rhenish]] missionary in [[Bethanie, Namibia|Bethanie]] in the early 19th century. It led from Bethanie to [[Angra Pequeña]], today the town of [[Lüderitz]], and was intended to serve the natural harbour there in order to become independent of the [[Cape Colony]].{{sfn|Dierks|2001|loc=[https://www.klausdierks.com/Namibian_Roads/2.htm Chapter 2.1 - The Pre-historic era circa 1250 - circa 1770]}}