New insights about the wheel could be gained from the discovery of 12,000-year-old pebbles by archaeologists.

Research published in PLOS ONE suggests that perforated stones discovered in Israel over several excavations may be early evidence of the use of the "spindle and whorl" device for spinning.

Since 1972, over 113 perforated stones have been discovered in the area of Nahal Ein-Gev II in the Jordan Valley of Israel.

According to research, 48 stones had complete perforation, 36 were broken with partial holes, and 29 were unfinished with one or two drill marks.

The stones were predominantly limestone, according to research by Talia Yasuv and Leore Grosman of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and ranged in weight from 1 to 34 grams.

Researchers came up with several theories about what these perforated stones could be.

Yasuv told Planet Chronicle Digital in an email that an initial thought was that the stones may have been related to fishing. However, after further research, the conclusion was reached that the spindle whorls were most likely created due to the shape of the stones, the material, and the shape and size of the holes made.

In this research, detailed analysis of the stones was conducted using high-resolution 3D models.

Yashuv stated that the collection of stones appears highly variable to the naked eye, with no standardization in the sense that every stone in the assemblage is different and unique.

Yashuv continued, "Nevertheless, the 3D analysis highlighted morphological parameters that revealed standard measures, such as the width/length ratio, the central location of the center of mass, the presence of perforations at that point, and the consistent minimal width of the perforation."

The study's authors suggested that their theory could be improved by "wear analysis," but noted that the technique exceeded the scope of the current article.

The study involved more than just 3D modeling; a feasibility test was conducted to assess the functionality of the items as ancient spindle whorls. This was accomplished with the assistance of Yonit Kristal, a traditional craft-making expert, as per the study.

Despite the parameters indicating spindle whorls' functionality, we remained uncertain and conducted a feasibility test using replicas we produced, as Yashuv explained.

Despite her initial failure, Kristal successfully spun both wool and flax with pebbles as spindle whorls, as explained in the authors' research.

Yashuv stated that the experiment showed that the replicas performed well as spindle whorls and that the parameters we thought were disadvantageous were actually beneficial for this purpose.

Yashuv considers this discovery to be more significant than simply being the first to make it.

""If an earlier find is discovered, it could be incorporated into our explanation for the disappearance of the innovation," Yashuv suggested."

The conclusion of the researchers, after studying the perforated rocks, was that these objects could have been spindle whorls used for spinning fibers.

"The researcher stated in their study that the wheel and axle mechanical principle were developed in the early stages of rotational technology evolution, which contributed to the technological innovations that played a crucial role in the Neolithization processes of the Southern Levant."