A 6.3 cm dual-ended sandstone drill from 凌家滩遗址考古保护大棚 reveals Neolithic bow drill technology in action. Horizontal wear grooves on the central shaft indicate cord wrapping for a bow drill spindle—one of humanity's oldest mechanical inventions, predating writing and agriculture. Even ancient Egyptian bow drills show identical friction marks! 🛠️
凌家滩遗址考古保护大棚 sandstone drill reveals Neolithic bow drill technology
Key facts
- Dual-ended stone drill made of sandstone, 6.3 cm long (roughly the length of a house key)
- One end has a thicker bit with flattened tip; the other has a finer pointed bit
- Spiral and concentric wear patterns indicate consistent sustained rotary drilling
- Horizontal wear grooves on central shaft indicate cord or rope wrapping, diagnostic of a bow drill spindle
- The bow drill is one of humanity's oldest mechanical inventions, predating writing and agriculture
- Ancient Egyptian bow drills show identical horizontal friction marks on their wooden spindles
Site mentioned
📍 凌家滩遗址考古保护大棚🌍 Show on the globe
Sources
file.ahm.cn:444
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