Ancient Copper Tool May Rewrite Egypt’s Engineering Timeline

A copper object excavated in Egypt and long believed to be an awl has been re-identified as a possible early bow drill after new microscopic analysis. The study suggests Egyptians may have used advanced rotary drilling nearly 2,000 years earlier than previously thought. Wear patterns and leather coils indicate the tool functioned through a cord-and-bow mechanism. The finding highlights how revisiting museum artefacts can reshape understanding of ancient Egyptian technology and craft industries.