Ancient human civilization has made many important inventions throughout history, but none have been as significant as the wheel. It is often hailed as the most important invention of all time, alongside fire. Although humans have been harnessing the power of fire for over 1.5 million years, it's only been 6,000 years since the invention of the wheel. Despite its relatively recent development, the wheel has transformed our world in ways that few other inventions ever could. It's hard to imagine what life would be like without this crucial technology.
Mastering sharp and sturdy tools is a prerequisite for humans to have wheeled vehicles. The process of shaping wood into a proper cylindrical shape, let alone constructing a wheel with spokes, is incredibly challenging using primitive stone tools. Hence, the wheel's emergence can only be expected after the advent of the Bronze Age.
According to renowned American anthropologist Robert Lowe, the knowledge of using wheelchairs can be traced back to Babylon, as all the people who use wheelchairs have learned directly or indirectly from this ancient civilization. Interestingly, the indigenous peoples in the Americas had their own innovations such as tugging boats on logs, utilizing spinning wheels, and playing with hoops. However, they never grasped the concept of propulsion through a wheel, which distinguishes it from their own inventions.
Although Louville's theory on the origin of the wheel is widely accepted by archaeologists, new discoveries can sometimes challenge old assumptions. For instance, the ruts found beneath the megalithic tomb of Flintbek in Germany date back to between 4800-4700 BC, while the cart-shaped jar unearthed in Bronocice, Poland, is believed to be from before 4725 BC. However, seven carbon-14 dates suggest that its creation may range from 4610-4440 BC. The earliest evidence of wheeled transport in the Near East was also discovered in Syria. American archaeologist Baldia unearthed a model of a vehicle with wheels and a mural depicting a "van" that dates back to the ancestors from around 6400-6500 years ago. As such, while Louville's view may be widely accepted, it's important to note that new discoveries can still unveil more information about the origin and evolution of the wheel.
It is possible that wheeled vehicles first emerged in Europe and subsequently spread to the Near East, or they may have been independently developed by the Orientals.