Discovery and Significance
Researchers uncovered 12,000-year-old spindle whorls in , , suggesting early experimentation with rotational technologies that predate the known wheel by 7,000 years.
This discovery links to the evolution of the wheel and axle concept, revolutionizing human transportation and cultural exchange long before the first known wheel.
Research and Findings
The study, published in , involved a detailed analysis of 113 perforated stones, with experiments confirming their use as spindle whorls for spinning fibers.
The findings emphasize the ingenuity of the Natufian culture and the significant leap in technology from linear to rotary motion, impacting future innovations like the potter's wheel and the cart wheel.