Produced by: Manoj Kumar
A new discovery in Northern Israel has unearthed 12,000-year-old stone “doughnuts” that might be the oldest evidence of wheel-like tools, sparking intrigue about early inventions.
Researchers suggest these stones, found at Nahal Ein Gev II, likely served as spindle whorls, tools for spinning fibers into yarn, revolutionizing textile creation.
These artifacts belonged to the Natufians, an ancient culture of Israel, Palestine, and Jordan, indicating their advanced craftsmanship in textile production.
Professor Leore Grosman from Hebrew University claims these stones represent the first known wheels in form and function, long before wheels for transport emerged.
The tools predate known wheel technology by 6,000 years, showing a pivotal stage in technological evolution, as highlighted in a study in PLOS One.
Using 3D scanning, researchers recreated the stones as spindle whorls, confirming their functionality through experimental spinning by traditional craft expert Yonit Crystal.
University of Chicago archaeologist Yorke Rowan praised the analysis as a thorough exploration of early technology, calling it a “critical turning point” in human innovation.
Archaeologist Alex Joffe noted the stones’ significance, suggesting the implications for technology may be even greater than anticipated.
This discovery predates other “wheeled” objects like the Mesopotamian potter’s wheel, illustrating humanity's drive for innovation well before recorded history.