A recent study has unveiled a significant discovery from an archaeological site in Israel that could represent a pivotal moment in human technological development. Researchers Talia Yashuv and Leore Grosman from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem published findings in the journal PLOS ONE on November 13, 2024, suggesting that a collection of perforated pebbles unearthed in northern Israel may have been used as spindle whorls. This identification hints at an early use of rotational tools, potentially laying the groundwork for the development of more advanced devices like the wheel.
The objects in question, found at the Nahal-Ein Gev II archaeological site, date back approximately 12,000 years, during a transformative period in human history. This time frame, situated in the early Neolithic period, marks a shift from hunter-gatherer societies to more settled agricultural communities. It predates the Bronze Age and the advent of carts by several millennia, suggesting that humans were experimenting with rotational tools long before the first true wheels appeared.
Spindle whorls are donut-shaped objects that are essential to the spinning process. When attached to a spindle stick, these weighted, circular tools facilitate the spinning of fibers like wool or flax into yarn. By increasing the rotational speed and stability of the spindle, spindle whorls enhance the efficiency of the spinning process. Their function resembles that of a primitive wheel-and-axle device, sharing conceptual similarities with later innovations like cart wheels. In this way, they represent a key technological precursor to the advanced rotational tools that would define subsequent human civilizations.
The study focused on over a hundred perforated limestone pebbles discovered at the Nahal-Ein Gev II site. These stones are notable for their circular shape and central perforation. To determine their purpose, the researchers used an innovative approach involving digital 3D models. By closely examining the shape of the pebbles and the negative space within their central holes, they were able to infer their likely function. This analysis was supplemented by practical experiments—replicas of the stones were used to spin flax, effectively demonstrating that they functioned well as spindle whorls.
If these stones were indeed used as spindle whorls, they represent some of the earliest known examples of humans utilizing rotational movement with wheel-like tools. This would place them at a critical juncture in technological evolution, potentially influencing the development of other rotational devices like the potter’s wheel and the cart wheel. Such tools were instrumental in the rise of early civilizations, contributing to advancements in transportation, agriculture, and craftsmanship.
The discovery has broader implications beyond the identification of early spindle whorls. It suggests that the conceptual leap from simple rotational tools to more complex wheel-based technology may have occurred earlier than previously thought. The wheel is often cited as one of the most groundbreaking human inventions, playing a crucial role in transportation, machinery, and industry. While the cart wheel remains a hallmark of the Bronze Age, the early use of spindle whorls indicates that humans were already harnessing the principles of rotation to facilitate daily tasks thousands of years earlier.
One of the standout aspects of this study is the application of modern technology to understand ancient artifacts. The researchers utilized advanced digital techniques to create detailed 3D models of the stones, allowing them to analyze features that might have been overlooked using traditional methods. These technological tools provide a window into the past, offering insights into the lives of early humans and their inventive use of materials. The ability to virtually “touch” and explore these ancient artifacts reveals the ingenuity of prehistoric craftspeople, bridging the gap between ancient and modern innovation.
The study emphasizes that understanding the past is not only about identifying the tools used by ancient societies but also about recognizing the intellectual leaps that these tools represent. The perforated pebbles found in Israel suggest a level of technological sophistication that highlights the early human capacity for problem-solving and invention. This capacity for innovation is echoed in the way modern technology—like 3D modeling—allows today’s researchers to unlock secrets from the distant past.
The findings provide a fresh perspective on how early humans adapted to their changing environments and laid the foundations for future technological advancements. By experimenting with rotational devices, prehistoric societies may have set the stage for the technological revolutions that would follow. The early Neolithic period was a time of experimentation and transition, and discoveries like these spindle whorls underscore the continuity of human innovation, from the earliest agricultural tools to the complex machines of today.
These insights not only deepen our understanding of early human history but also demonstrate the enduring connection between past and present. The study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches—combining archaeology, technology, and practical experimentation—to explore the creative capacity of our ancestors. By reconstructing the processes and tools of prehistoric societies, researchers gain a better understanding of how humans have continually shaped and reshaped the world through technological innovation.
Source: Public Library of Science