I’m fascinated by this woodworking tool called the Festool Domino. It’s got the form factor of a biscuit joiner, but it’s a router instead of a circular saw, so it cuts a deep, short, wide mortise to receive a loose tenon they call a Domino.
This tool is still protected under patent by its inventor, it’s brand new. But the type of joinery it’s for - loose tenons - are older than writing. Prehistoric wooden structures have been found held together with loose tenons. Some 8,000 years we’ve been making mortise and tenon joints, and the technology is STILL under development.
Behold the world’s oldest intact wooden structure. The frame of a well dated to 7,000 years ago found near Lake Constance. I don’t think it is known for sure how it was made, but the linked article talks about experimental archaeology using stone axes and adzes and chisels/gouges made of bone and antler. I’m not sure drills were invented yet.
By the time of the ancient Egyptians they had gotten remarkably sophisticated. Even by the pre-dynastic period some 5,000 years ago they had copper saws, chisels, axes and adzes, and bow drills. Egyptian ships were often constructed with mortise and tenon joints which would be secured with through-holes and dowel pins to lock them in place. They would use mortise and tenons to build furniture, examples found in tombs survive today. These would be glued with hide glue and often reinforced by lashing with cordage. The oldest varnished wood pieces are ancient Egyptian. A third kingdom coffin contains the oldest known plywood.
Few other activities connect me to ALL of human history quite like woodworking. My workshop is full of tools that are made of glass reinforced nylon and aluminum, driven by digitally controlled brushless DC motors powered by lithium polymer batteries, turning tungsten carbide blades and bits…and I use these state of the art 21st century tools to create wooden joinery older than horseback riding.
This reminds me of how for many years, we didn’t know how Roman Concrete was so strong. The Romans knew it was super strong, and part of why buildings like the Pantheon have held up so well is that Roman concrete incorporated what we now refer to as Pozzolans - alumina or silica containing binders that, when used as an additive to concrete, makes the concrete stronger over time due to reactions with water. Original Roman concrete used volcanic ash from near the city of Pozzuoli, hence the name.
I’m fascinated by this woodworking tool called the Festool Domino. It’s got the form factor of a biscuit joiner, but it’s a router instead of a circular saw, so it cuts a deep, short, wide mortise to receive a loose tenon they call a Domino.
This tool is still protected under patent by its inventor, it’s brand new. But the type of joinery it’s for - loose tenons - are older than writing. Prehistoric wooden structures have been found held together with loose tenons. Some 8,000 years we’ve been making mortise and tenon joints, and the technology is STILL under development.
How’d the prehistorics make them? Drill two holes and chisel out between? Or did they pre-date drills and chisels?
Behold the world’s oldest intact wooden structure. The frame of a well dated to 7,000 years ago found near Lake Constance. I don’t think it is known for sure how it was made, but the linked article talks about experimental archaeology using stone axes and adzes and chisels/gouges made of bone and antler. I’m not sure drills were invented yet.
By the time of the ancient Egyptians they had gotten remarkably sophisticated. Even by the pre-dynastic period some 5,000 years ago they had copper saws, chisels, axes and adzes, and bow drills. Egyptian ships were often constructed with mortise and tenon joints which would be secured with through-holes and dowel pins to lock them in place. They would use mortise and tenons to build furniture, examples found in tombs survive today. These would be glued with hide glue and often reinforced by lashing with cordage. The oldest varnished wood pieces are ancient Egyptian. A third kingdom coffin contains the oldest known plywood.
Few other activities connect me to ALL of human history quite like woodworking. My workshop is full of tools that are made of glass reinforced nylon and aluminum, driven by digitally controlled brushless DC motors powered by lithium polymer batteries, turning tungsten carbide blades and bits…and I use these state of the art 21st century tools to create wooden joinery older than horseback riding.
Oh that’s very cool.
This reminds me of how for many years, we didn’t know how Roman Concrete was so strong. The Romans knew it was super strong, and part of why buildings like the Pantheon have held up so well is that Roman concrete incorporated what we now refer to as Pozzolans - alumina or silica containing binders that, when used as an additive to concrete, makes the concrete stronger over time due to reactions with water. Original Roman concrete used volcanic ash from near the city of Pozzuoli, hence the name.
Bone and antler chisels. TIL
Per the article I linked, you’d have to look around for suitable stone, but hunting or herding means you’ve always got bones around.