Millstone is one of the most ancient inventions of mankind. It is possible that it appeared even earlier than the wheel. What do millstones look like? What functions do they perform? And what is the principle of operation of this ancient mechanism? Let's figure it out!
Millstone - what is it?
According to scientists, our ancestors began to use this simple device in the Stone Age (10-3 millennium BC). What are millstones? This is a primitive mechanical device consisting of two rounded blocks. Its main function is the grinding of grain and other plant products.
The word came from the Old Slavonic "zharn". This can be translated as "heavy." The unit really could have a fairly solid weight. Millstones are mentioned in The Tale of Bygone Years. In particular, in the annals you can find the following phrase:
"He is a great man and he smashed it with his own hands."
The word is often used in a figurative sense. It is enough to recall such phrases as “millstone of war” or “millstone of history”. In this context, these are cruel and fatal events in which a person or a whole people can end up.
The image of millstones can be found in heraldry. For example, on the arms of the small town of Höör, in southern Sweden.
A bit of history
In ancient times, people grind grains, nuts, shoots, rhizomes in millstones, and also ground iron and dyes. Once they could be seen in almost every rural house. Over time, flour milling technologies improved, water mills appeared, and even later - windmills. Complex and exhausting work was transferred to the shoulders of the forces of nature - wind and water. Although the work of any mill was based on the same millstone principle.
Previously, in the villages there was a special caste of artisans who were engaged in the manufacture of millstones, as well as the repair of individual parts. During constant operation, the millstones were erased, their surfaces became smooth and ineffective. Therefore, they had to be sharpened periodically.
Millstone today is history. Of course, few people today use these bulky units in everyday life. Therefore, they gather dust in museums and at various exhibitions where curious tourists and lovers of antiquity can stare at them.
Millstone design and operation
The design of this mechanism is extremely simple. It consists of two round blocks of the same size, laid on top of each other. In this case, the lower circle is immobilized, and the upper one rotates. The surfaces of both blocks are covered with a relief pattern, due to which the process of grinding grain is carried out.
Stone millstones are driven by a special cross-shaped pin mounted on a vertical wooden rod. It is very important that both units are correctly aligned and adjusted. Poorly balanced millstones will produce poor grinding quality.
Most often, millstones were made of limestone or fine-grained sandstone (or from what was "at hand"). The main thing is that the material is sufficiently solid and durable.