A 12,000-year-old perforated stone discovered during years of excavations in Israel provides “early evidence of the adoption of ‘spindle and whorl’ device spinning,” according to a new study published in PLOS ONE. It is said that there is a possibility.
The wheel-shaped stone was discovered during years of excavation at Nahal Eingeb II in the Jordan Valley, Israel. A total of 113 perforated stones have been discovered in the area since 1972.
According to the survey, 48 of the stones found had complete holes, 36 were broken items with partial holes, and 29 were unfinished items with one or two drill marks. Ta.
More than 100 wheel-shaped stones have been discovered in Israel, which researchers believe are early examples of “spindle and whirlpool” devices. (Talia Yashuv)
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The stones were “predominantly limestone” and weighed between 1 and 34 grams, co-authors Talia Yassuf and Leore Grossman of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem wrote in a published study.
Researchers have come up with several theories about what these perforated stones are.
“My initial thought was that it might be related to fishing,” Yassuf told Fox News Digital in an email. In the end, the researchers concluded that the stones were most likely spindles, based on their shape, material, and the shape and size of the holes.
The perforated stone was discovered during excavations at Nahal Ein Geb II (NEG II) in Israel’s Jordan Valley. (Naftali Hilger)
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In this study, high-resolution 3D models were used to study the stones in more detail.
“To the naked eye, the stone collection appears to be highly variable and non-standardized in the sense that every stone within the set is different and unique,” Yaszhuf said.
“However, the 3D analysis pointed out morphological parameters that indicate that there are standard measures, such as the width-to-length ratio, the central location of the center of mass, the fact that the hole is also located at that location, the minimum dimensions, etc. The width of the hole is constant,” Yaszhu continued.
The study’s authors said their theory could be strengthened by “use-wear analysis,” but explained that specific methodology was “beyond the scope of this paper.”
The stones were closely observed by researchers to better understand their past usage. The research included 3D modeling and testing with a replica to test the stone’s functionality as a spindle whorl. (Laurent Davin)
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As part of this research, beyond the 3D modeling, a feasibility test was conducted to test the functionality of the item as an ancient spindle whorl. According to the study, this was done with the help of Yonit Kristal, an expert in traditional craft production.
“While these parameters indicated the functionality of the spindle whorl, we still had doubts, so we performed a feasibility test on the replica we created,” Yaszhu said.
Crystal’s first initial attempts were unsuccessful, but she was eventually able to spin both wool and flax using pebbles as spindle volutes, the authors explained in the study.
“Surprisingly, this experiment demonstrated that not only did the replica work well as a spindle spiral, but that parameters that were thought to be unfavorable were actually beneficial for this purpose.” he said.
Yashuv believes this discovery is more important than just the question of “who came first.”
“The ‘oldest’ spindle whorls could easily become irrelevant if even earlier discoveries are found,” Yaszouf said. “But we are proposing an explanation for why the innovation disappeared, so if the previous findings are recovered, it could add to the general scheme we have presented.”
Through a multi-step process of studying the perforated rocks, the researchers concluded that these objects may have been spindle-like whorls used to spin fibers.
“In a cumulative evolutionary trend, an early stage in the development of rotating technology was revealed by establishing the mechanical principles of wheels and axles,” the researchers wrote in their study. “Overall, it reflects the technological innovations that played an important role in the process of Neolithization in the southern Levant.”
