Listen now (5 mins) | Wheels are often thought to be one of the earliest inventions the homo sapiens ever made. But the oldest wheel discovered is only 5,500 years old, making it far younger than the invention of agriculture, boats, woven cloth, and pottery. The oldest wheel excavated, which dates back to 3500 BC, is associated with the Mesopotamian civilisation. But these wheels, invented by the Mesopotamians, were not used for transportation. Yes, wheels were not designed primarily for transportation purposes. Instead, it was used mainly as a potter's wheel.