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Yes, like wearing a patibulum (transom), dragging an 'X' to the 'job' site is so much less glamorous than dragging a whole Latin Cross (tropaeum). The transom itself was much lighter in section i.e. flimsier than the main pole of the stouter device. And when the stouter suspension device--which was more akin to the US-style telephone/power pole than a Cross--was used, the condemned never dragged whole assemblies there anyway! Another Gospel myth exploded, utterly.

Evidence of crucifixions has been found in Israel. One skeletal foot still had the remains of a hefty iron nail embedded in it, and it appears that these nails were recycled after death of the unfortunate victim. In this case, a knot in the wood seems to have deflected the point of the nail such that the nail could not be removed, so they buried the victim with the nail still attached. Further, the traditional crossbeam was only viable in areas with plentiful lumber. In ancient Judaea there seems to have been rather less wood to be had, so the victim was nailed to a more lightly constructed 'X' frame closer to the ground - which probably would have been the correct form of crucifixion for jesus, thus the story of carrying the cross to the execution site has somewhat disappointing ramifcations.