Editing Milestone (section)

=== Post-Medieval Europe ===
[[File:A milestone at Berwick-upon-Tweed - geograph.org.uk - 1513459.jpg|thumb|upright|Milestone in [[Northumberland]], indicating 1 mile to [[Berwick-upon-Tweed]], 14 miles to [[Belford, Northumberland|Belford]] and 333 miles to [[London]]]]
In [[Europe]], the distance measured typically starts at specified point within a [[city]] or [[town]], as many roads were named for the towns at either end. For example, in [[London]], [[United Kingdom]], a plaque near the [[Eleanor cross]] at [[Charing Cross]] is the reference point from which distances from London to other towns and cities are measured. In the UK, milestones are especially associated with [[Turnpike trust|former turnpike roads]].

The British built many milestones on the [[Malta Colony|island of Malta]]. They consisted of large slabs of local hard rock and they were engraved with the distance to or from a particular location. Many of these were defaced in [[World War II]] to disorientate forces in a [[Operation Herkules|potential invasion]]. Despite this, a very small number of milestones still exist undefaced, and one of these is now in the [[Malta at War Museum]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Milestones salvaged and added to the new museum's collection |url=http://www.maltaatwarmuseum.com/milestones-salvaged-and-added-to-the-new-museums-collection.html |website=Wirt Artna |access-date=7 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907124041/http://www.maltaatwarmuseum.com/milestones-salvaged-and-added-to-the-new-museums-collection.html |archive-date=7 September 2014 }}</ref>