5,300-year-old 'bow drill' rewrites story of ancient Egyptian tools
Summary
Newcastle University reports that a 5,300-year-old copper-alloy artefact from Naqada II is the earliest identified rotary metal drill in ancient Egypt, dating to the Predynastic period. Through magnification and portable X-ray fluorescence, researchers identified wear patterns and a leather thong remnant consistent with a bow drill, suggesting Egyptians mastered rotary drilling well before later drill sets. The study highlights everyday technological innovations in antiquity and the value of museum collections for new scientific insights.