Archaeologists discover 12,000-year-old pebbles that could provide new insights about the wheel
12,000-Year-Old Pebbles in Israel Could Rewrite History of the Wheel
In a groundbreaking archaeological discovery, researchers have unearthed a collection of perforated stones in Israel that could potentially provide new insights into the early development of the wheel. The stones, estimated to be approximately 12,000 years old, are believed to have been used as spindle whorls, a key component in the creation of thread and yarn. This conclusion could fundamentally change our understanding of early technological advancements and the evolution of human civilization.
The stones were discovered during a series of archaeological excavations across Israel. Their distinctive shape and the pattern of perforation led the team of researchers to hypothesize that these were more than mere pebbles, but tools which played a crucial role in the birth of spinning and weaving, and possibly the wheel.
Spindle Whorls: The Precursor to the Wheel
The perforated stones, identified as spindle whorls, are weighted tools used to increase and maintain the speed of the spindle in hand-spinning. This technology is widely believed to have been a precursor to the invention of the wheel, one of the most critical developments in human history. 
Professor Yoram Erez, the lead archaeologist in the research team, explained, “The shape and weight of these stones, along with the precise nature of the perforations, suggest that they were used to spin fibers into thread. This represents a significant leap in technological sophistication and would have revolutionized textile production in the prehistoric era.”
While examples of spindle whorls have been found in archaeological sites dating back to the Neolithic period, these newly discovered specimens are among the oldest ever found. They offer a glimpse into a time when humans were beginning to master the art of manipulating their environment, leading to the earliest known forms of textile production and, ultimately, the invention of the wheel.
Unraveling the Evolution of Early Technology
These findings could potentially reshape our understanding of the timeline and progression of early technology. Archaeologists have long believed that the wheel was invented around 3500 BC, first used for pottery making before being adapted for transportation. The discovery of these spindle whorls, however, suggests that the concept of a rotating tool may have been understood and used much earlier than previously thought.
“If our analysis is correct, these stones represent a missing link in the evolution of human technology,” said Professor Erez. “They suggest that the idea of using rotation to facilitate work – a concept that is at the heart of the wheel – was already in use thousands of years earlier than we previously believed.”
The research team is now planning further examinations and tests on the perforated stones to confirm their initial findings. The stones will undergo a comprehensive technological and typological analysis, with the results expected to provide more detailed insights into early human technological development and the history of the wheel.
This discovery underscores the importance of archaeological research in shedding light on our past. By unraveling the mysteries of these ancient stones, we gain a deeper understanding of our ancestors’ ingenuity and the technological leaps that have shaped our world.
