Ancient pebbles in Israel indicate the earliest form of wheel technology
Archaeologists in Israel have discovered doughnut-shaped pebbles that may be among the earliest forms of wheel-like technology. These 12,000-year-old limestone pebbles, found at the Nahal Ein Gev II site in northern Israel, have central holes and are believed to have been used as spindle whorls – a tool for spinning fibers such as flax and wool.
Talia Yashuv, a graduate student and co-author of the study at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Institute of Archeology, told LiveScience that these ancient artifacts point to early experiments with rotary tools that could have laid the foundation for later developments such as the potter’s wheel and the cart wheel. This discovery was published in PLOS One on November 13, offering a glimpse into the region’s pre-agricultural technology.
The approximately one hundred perforated pebbles were analyzed by Yashuv and Leore Grosman, professor of prehistoric archeology at the same institute. After each pebble was 3D scanned, the team produced detailed models to assess its potential use. Most pebbles were unlikely to serve as fishing weights or beads due to their size and shape, which differ from artifacts used during similar periods. Instead, the team made spindle whorls from the scanned models, which traditional craft expert Yonit Crystal used to spin flax and wool. Although the flax was easier to handle, the replicas showed that the pebbles were likely effective as spindle whorls, supporting early textile production, the study said.
Implications of the findings
The findings indicate that these spindle whorls could mark a key point in technological evolution, possibly linked to new methods of storage and survival. Alex Joffe, director of the Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa and experienced archaeologist, told LiveScience that the possibility that these artifacts could have enabled innovations such as bags or fishing lines. Yorke Rowan, a professor of archeology at the University of Chicago, echoed this view, noting that the analysis represents a “critical turning point” in early technology.
An ongoing debate
While these pebbles may represent one of the earliest uses of wheel-like shapes, Carole Cheval, an expert in prehistoric textiles at CEPAM in France, said the publication noted that similar objects have been found in other regions, possibly from earlier periods. This adds a new layer to the understanding of the origins of rotational technology, highlighting the continued exploration of centuries-old human innovation.
