From spindle to wheel: artifacts from Israel unveil the evolution of ancient technologies (photos).

A recent study suggests that a set of stone weights with holes, discovered in Israel, may represent one of the earliest examples of a spindle, revealing the history of rotational technology's development, including the wheel. Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem analyzed these artifacts, linking them to one of humanity's initial attempts to utilize rotating devices, writes Phys.org.

Wheel-axle mechanisms, typically associated with Bronze Age carts, were a revolutionary invention that facilitated movement and the transportation of goods. Spindles operated in a similar manner, employing a whorl to enhance the efficiency of yarn spinning.

By attaching a round weight to the spindle, ancient craftsmen could spin wool, flax, or other fibers much more rapidly. This spinning method represents an early adaptation of rotational technology in human history.

The artifacts analyzed in this study were found at the archaeological site of Nahal Ein Gev II in northern Israel, which dates back approximately 12,000 years. This period coincides with the transition to an agricultural lifestyle, long before the introduction of wheels in Bronze Age transport.

Using digital 3D modeling techniques, researchers examined over 100 limestone stones, each featuring a distinct round hole at its center, likely carved for spinning. Experiments with replicas of the stones demonstrated their functionality as spindles, supporting the hypothesis that these objects were utilized in early textile production.

These artifacts may be among the first known examples of man-made rotational tools that paved the way for later innovations such as the potter's wheel and the cart wheel. According to the researchers, this study not only sheds light on prehistoric life but also illustrates how ancient innovations are reflected in the modern technological landscape.

We also reported on the unique discovery by Turkish archaeologists. Scientists uncovered a 5th-century amulet depicting the prophet Solomon.