Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

To: fanfan; Monkey Face; sionnsar
"How did ancient people manage to drill smalls holes in shells and such, for jewelery?"

"Drills" is the correct answer. Bow drills to be specific.

A bow drill is like a toy bow as in bow and arrow. In this case, the "arrow" is twisted around the bowstring, so that when you "saw" with the bow, it spins the arrow.

Now put a seashell on top of the "arrow" to place your hand on, and use the point of the arrow to grind away at the thing you want a hole in.

If you split the arrow and put a bit of sharp rock into the split, then bind it, you will have a serviceable bit to drill with.

You can make holes in seashells, or make buttons out of pieces of bone, and so forth.

The place where the "arrow" is rubbing get hot. That's why a piece of seashell or rock will protect your hand. The work you do generates heat, especially if the drill is dull.

So you can use this same bow drill as a device for generating heat, and if you do it right, with the right materials, you can start a fire.

1,337 posted on 05/19/2009 6:00:53 PM PDT by NicknamedBob (Error is patient. It has all of time for its disturbing machinations.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1314 | View Replies ]


To: NicknamedBob
and if you do it right, with the right materials, you can start a fire.

Yup. Tried that a couple of decades ago. Rather a bit of a learning curve to get there, but once learned not all that difficult.

1,338 posted on 05/19/2009 6:09:48 PM PDT by sionnsar ((Iran Azadi | 5yst3m 0wn3d - it's N0t Y0ur5 (SONY) | "Also sprach Telethustra" - NonValueAdded)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1337 | View Replies ]

To: NicknamedBob

Bowdril? I used a mandrel when I was making jewelry.


1,339 posted on 05/19/2009 6:14:03 PM PDT by ThomasThomas (They don't let you sit anywhere you want even when they have a sign saying so.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1337 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson