Archaeologists in Israel have uncovered a collection of 12,000-year-old perforated stones that might represent one of humanity’s first steps toward rotational technology, including the wheel.
These donut-shaped stones, discovered at the Nahal-Ein Gev II site in northern Israel, are believed to be ancient spindle whorls—tools that help spin fibers into yarn by enhancing rotation.
This discovery, published on November 13, 2024, in the journal PLOS ONE, provides a glimpse into early innovations that may have laid the foundation for later inventions, like the cart wheel.
Spindle whorls are small, round objects with a central hole, often attached to a spindle stick. Together, they create a basic wheel-and-axle system, allowing the spindle to rotate faster and more smoothly.
This tool was crucial for spinning fibers like wool or flax into yarn, supporting the creation of fabrics.
The researchers, led by Talia Yashuv and Leore Grosman from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, suggest that the spindle whorls represent one of the earliest examples of wheel-shaped technology.
While wheels are typically associated with Bronze Age carts, the concept of rotational tools may have been in development far earlier.
These stones date back to the Neolithic period, an era of significant change when humans transitioned from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to agriculture.
As people began farming, they also started developing new tools to help with daily tasks, and these spindle whorls likely played a role in supporting an agricultural lifestyle by aiding in fiber production.
To understand the stones better, the researchers used a modern digital technique, creating 3D models of the stones and analyzing the negative spaces of their central holes.
More than 100 pebbles, mostly made of limestone, were examined, and their shape and perforations suggest they were specifically designed for rotational use.
The team tested this theory by spinning flax with replicas of the stones, confirming their effectiveness as spindle whorls.
This study highlights a fascinating link between ancient and modern technology.
As the researchers note, the structure of these simple tools may have influenced later inventions like the potter’s wheel and, eventually, the cart wheel. Both of these inventions were essential to early human societies, revolutionizing transportation and pottery production.
“The most important aspect of this study,” the authors explain, “is how modern technology allows us to connect with the creativity of prehistoric people.
By examining their tools, we not only learn about their skills and lives but also understand how these early innovations paved the way for our own technological advancements.”
In a world where technology rapidly changes, these ancient spindle whorls serve as a reminder of the innovative spirit that has always driven human progress. This discovery emphasizes how early humans, by crafting these simple yet effective tools, were setting the stage for inventions that would shape civilizations.
