1100 bce

Energy

People in Europe and western Asia use lamps that burn olive or nut oil with vegetable-fiber wicks. See also 40,000 bce Energy.

The Assyrians capture iron-making centers when they invade what is now Armenia. Still, it is not until 900 bce that the formidable Assyrian army is re-equipped with iron weapons. See also 1200 bce Materials; 1000 bce Materials.

The rotary quern, or rotary hand mill, is invented for grinding grain. It replaces the saddle quern, a form of mortar and pestle. A handle is used to rotate one stone that is placed on top of a stationary stone. This device is the ancestor of the large mills operated by animal, water, or wind power that began to be built in Europe in Hellenistic and Roman times. See also 1500 bce Food & agriculture; 800 bce Tools.

The basic chariot of Mesopotamia is redesigned, using wheels with six spokes instead of four and with the axle moved from the middle of the chariot to a position at the rear. Both changes result in a chariot that can travel better over rough ground. See also 1500 bce Transportation.

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