Johann Hunt
The wheel, invented around 3500 BCE, revolutionized transportation, industry, and daily life, enabling the movement of goods and people across long distances. Before the advent of the wheel, early inventions centered around food and basic toolmaking were already in existence to set the foundational stage for its development. These innovations not only demonstrated humanity’s ability to manipulate the environment but also showed a growing understanding of object manipulation principles. Here are 15 inventions that came before the wheel.
Fishing Hooks (23,000 BCE)
The earliest fishing hooks were made from shells and were discovered in Okinawa, Japan. Probably made to broaden the available food options and support the exploitation of aquatic resources, fishing hooks illustrate the innovative approaches to subsistence strategies and man’s venture beyond land for food.
Source: The Guardian
The Sewing Needle (50,000 BCE)
Developing sewing technology marked a significant advancement in clothing production and personal comfort. Bone needles measuring 7cm were discovered in the Denisova Cave in Siberia, dating back to around 50,000 BCE. They were used to sew animal hides into clothing.
Source: Archeology Magazine
The Drill (35,000 BCE)
Primitive hand drills, called awls, were made by attaching a sharp stone to a stick. They were operated by twisting or bow mechanisms, allowing for the precise crafting of objects and the creation of more complex tools and ornaments. Early hand drills, used for making holes in wood, bone, and other materials, date back around 35,000 years.
Source: Wonkee Donkee Tools
Cordage (40,000 BCE)
The creation of ropes and cords from plant fibers and animal sinew dates back around 40,000 years BCE. Early humans twisted and braided these materials to create strong, flexible cords used for binding, hauling, and constructing tools and shelters.
Source: Science Daily
Jewelry (115,000 BCE)
Estimated to have been made by Neanderthals and found in Cueva de los Aviones on the southeast coast of Spain, the earliest jewelry dates back to approximately 115,000 BCE. They were made from small sea shell beads, often made from Nassarius shells, and were likely used for personal adornment and social signaling.
Source: Wikipedia
Boats (43,000–8000 BCE)
The construction of boats began as early as 43,000 BCE, with evidence of dugout canoes found in places like Lake Baringo in Kenya and the Pesse canoe in the Netherlands dating to around 8000 BCE. These early watercraft were essential for fishing and transportation, enabling human populations to traverse waterways and establish new settlements.
Source: Wikipedia
Geographic Maps (25,000 BCE)
Man’s creation of geographic maps highlights the ability to abstract and represent spatial information such as hunting grounds, water sources, and settlements. The oldest known map, believed to date back around 25,000 BCE, consists of engravings on a mammoth tusk. It was discovered in 1962 in Pavlov, located in the Moravian region, which is now part of the Czech Republic.
Source: Wikipedia
Pottery (18,000 BCE)
Pottery allowed for the efficient handling of liquids and solids, supporting the development of more complex agricultural societies. The earliest pottery, dating back to around 18,000 BCE, was discovered in the Xianrendong Cave in China. These early ceramic vessels were used for cooking, storing food, and carrying water.
Source: Wikipedia
Cooking (1.8 Million–500,000 BCE)
Evidence suggests that early humans, such as Homo erectus, began using fire for cooking as early as 1.8 million to 500,000 years ago in Africa. Cooking food allowed early humans to consume a wider variety of foods, make them easier to digest, and unlock more nutrients, significantly impacting human evolution by supporting brain development and social structures.
Source: Mental Floss
Musical Instruments (50,000 BCE)
The oldest musical instruments, such as flutes made from bird bones and mammoth ivory, date back to around 50,000 BCE and were found in Germany. The flute, discovered in Divje Babe cave near Cerkno, Slovenia, and made from the bones of an animal, suggests that music was an integral part of early human culture and was used for social bonding and communication.
Source: Wikipedia
Glue (200,000 BCE)
Formulated by the Neanderthals, the use of natural adhesives, such as birch bark tar and ochre, dates back to around 200,000 BCE in Italy and South Africa. Early humans used these glues to haft stone tools to wooden handles, improving their functionality and durability. The glue production involved dry distillation.
Source: Smithsonian Magazine
Calendars (8000 BCE)
A representation of the lunar calendars, created around 8000 BCE and discovered in Scotland, consisted of twelve pits and an arc. These calendars consisted of carved stones arranged to track lunar cycles and seasonal changes, which were crucial for agricultural planning and ritual activities.
Source: National Geographic
Spears (400,000 BCE)
Wooden spears from the Schöningen site in Germany show that early humans had developed effective hunting weapons for large game. These spears, made from carefully shaped wood, were designed for thrusting and throwing, demonstrating advanced woodworking skills and strategic hunting methods.
Source: Earth.COM
Grinding Stones (60,000 BCE)
Fondly referred to as the oldest food processing industry, grinding stones were used to process plant materials dating back to around 60,000 BCE. Found in Madjedbebe, Aboriginal land in Australia, these tools were essential for breaking down grains and seeds into edible forms, supporting the early development of agriculture and more complex food preparation techniques.
Source: Wikipedia
Alcohol (7000 BCE)
The earliest evidence of fermented beverages dates back to 7000 BCE in Jiahu, Henan province, China, where residues of alcohol made from rice, honey, and fruit were discovered in pottery jars. This discovery suggests that early humans were experimenting with fermentation processes long before the wheel was invented, likely occurring accidentally as natural sugars fermented.
Source: Mental Floss
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