More than 100 perforated stones from Nahal Ein Gev II in northern Israel were studied in 2024 using 3D analysis. Researchers proposed that they were spindle whorls used to spin fibers; the associated layers date to about 12,550–12,000 calibrated years BP. The video argues that they mark an early stage in wheel-and-axle technology, predating Bronze Age cart wheels by millennia—but the study does not establish them as the first wheels in human history. 🔄
Possible 12,000-Year-Old Spindle Whorls Found at Nahal Ein Gev II
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Key facts
- A 2024 paper studied more than 100 perforated stones recovered at Nahal Ein Gev II in northern Israel, not at an Ein Gedi Chalcolithic temple.
- Researchers used 3D analysis to propose that the objects were spindle whorls used for spinning fibers; their identification as spindle whorls is not definitive confirmation.
- The associated archaeological layers were dated to approximately 12,550–12,000 calibrated radiocarbon years BP.
- These are among the earliest known spindle whorls, but they are not established as the first wheels or wheel-and-axle technology in human history.
- The video argues that the objects represent an early stage of rotational technology preceding Bronze Age cart wheels by millennia.
Sources
Analyzing 'building stones' at Nahal Ein Gev II - ScienceDirect.comsciencedirect.com
Natufian architecture 12,000 years ago: Analyzing 'building stones' at Nahal Ein Gev II ... 12,000-year-old spindle whorls and the innovation of wheeled ...
Nahal Ein Gev II - The Institute of Archaeologyarchaeology.huji.ac.il
Nahal Ein Gev II is a Late Natufian site (12,000 cal BP). The site is a large village which is located in the Ein Gev stream, approximately two kilometers ...
12,000-Year-Old Spindle Whorls Unearthed in Israel | Sci.Newssci.news
In their research, the archaeologists examined a collection of over a hundred perforated, mostly-limestone pebbles recovered from the Nahal-Ein ...
12,000-year-old spinning machine uncovered in northern Israeljewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com
The discovery of the ancient spindle whorls unearthed at Nahal Ein Gev in the Upper Jordan Valley, located at the middle of a stream that ...
Nahal Ein Gev II - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
Spindle whorls. edit. Remains of spindle whorls found at the from 12,000 years ago might be the oldest spindle whorls found to date. Diet. edit. The ...
Spindle Whorlmetmuseum.org
This spindle whorl was excavated during the Metropolitan Museum's excavations in Nishapur, in eastern Iran. Its raised collar is encircled by two incised lines.
Putting the Spindle Whorl Before the Cartnwyarns.com
At Nahal Ein Gev II, the possible whorls were small stones with centered holes. In Peru, at Asia, Unit 1, one stone whorl was barrel-shaped and ...
Possible 12000-Year-Old Spindle Whorls Identified in Israelarchaeology.org
Possible 12,000-Year-Old Spindle Whorls Identified in Israel. News November 14, 2024. Nahal Ein-Gev II site in northern Israel facing the Sea ...
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