The wheel was invented not in the Carpathians, but in Israel – scientists have proposed a new theory

Last month it was mentioned that the first wheel was invented in the Carpathians 6,000 years ago, but now scientists have come up with a new hypothesis. According to the study, the first examples of wheels originated around 4000 BC in Mesopotamia, where the wheel shape was used to make pottery. However, a collection of perforated stones found in Israel and dated to around 12,000 years ago could be a key discovery in the development of rotating tools, including wheels, DailyMail reports.

The invention of the wheel has long been considered a significant breakthrough in human history, scientists emphasize. The first evidence of the use of wheeled vehicles was documented during the Bronze Age. However, a collection of perforated stones found in Israel changes the understanding of when the first wheel was invented, the researchers add. At the Nahal Ein Gev II excavation site, more than a hundred limestone pebbles with a perforated central hole were discovered, which were created about 12,000 years ago.

The researchers believe that these stones could have been used as round weighted objects attached to a spindle to effectively collect and strand fibers such as wool. Experts from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem conducted experiments and confirmed this theory by making replicas of stones and successfully spinning flax.

Scientists emphasize that the collection of scroll spindles is an early example of the use of spinning using a wheel-shaped tool.

“These stones are truly the first wheels in form and function – a round object with a hole in the center connected to a rotating axle, which was used long before the invention of the wheel for transport purposes,” said Professor Leore Grossman.

Scientists believe these stones laid the foundation for future wheel-based spinning inventions, such as the potter's wheel and cart wheel.