Overview

• The stones, discovered at the Nahal Ein-Gev II site in Israel, date back approximately 12,000 years and may represent one of the earliest uses of rotational technology.
• Analysis indicates the stones were likely used as spindle whorls, tools that stabilize and enhance spindle rotation, aiding in the spinning of fibers into yarn.
• Researchers used 3D modeling and practical experiments to confirm the stones' potential function, demonstrating successful yarn spinning with replicas.
• The study highlights a significant technological milestone, suggesting these tools laid foundational mechanical principles for later inventions like the potter's wheel and cart wheel.
• While some researchers express skepticism due to a lack of microscopic wear analysis, the study authors emphasize the stones' role in early technological evolution.