Editing Millstone (section)

=== The origins of an industry ===
Often referred to as the "oldest industry", the use of the millstone is inextricably linked to human history. Integrated into food processes since the [[Upper Paleolithic|Upper Palaeolithic]], its use remained constant until the end of the 19th century, when it was gradually replaced by a new type of [[Roller milled white enriched flour|metal tool]]. However, it can still be seen in rural domestic installations, such as in [[India]], where 300 million women used hand mills daily to produce flour in 2002.<ref><sup>(fr)</sup> Jean-Pierre Henri Azéma, Actes du colloque de La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, {{p.|424}}</ref>[[File:Holgate Windmill millstones - 2011-12-26.jpg|thumb|A pair of millstones in [[Holgate Windmill]]]]
The earliest evidence for stones used to grind food is found in northern Australia, at the [[Madjedbebe]] rock shelter in [[Arnhem Land]], dating back around 60,000 years. Grinding stones or grindstones, as they were called, were used by the [[Aboriginal Australians|Aboriginal peoples]] across the continent and islands, and they were traded in areas where suitable sandstone was not available in abundance. Different stones were adapted for grinding different things and varied according to location. One important use was for foods, in particular to grind seeds to make bread, but stones were also adapted for grinding specific types of starchy nuts, [[ochre]]s for artwork, plant fibres for string, or plants for use in [[bush medicine]], and are still used today. The Australian grindstones usually comprise a large flat sandstone rock (for its abrasive qualities), used with a top stone, known as a "muller", "pounder",<ref name="qm">{{cite web | title=Grindstone – ancient multi-tools|first=Marisa |last=Giorgi | website=The Queensland Museum Network Blog | date=19 May 2020 | url=https://blog.qm.qld.gov.au/2020/05/19/grindstone-ancient-multi-tools/ | access-date=21 October 2021}}</ref> or [[pestle]]. The [[Aboriginal Victorians|Aboriginal peoples of the present state of Victoria]] used grinding stones to crush roots, bulbs, [[tuber]]s, and berries, as well as insects, small mammals, and reptiles before cooking them.<ref>{{cite web | title=Fact sheet: Aboriginal grinding stones | website=First Peoples – State Relations| date=6 October 2021| publisher= [[Victorian Government]]| url=http://www.firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au/fact-sheet-aboriginal-grinding-stones | access-date=21 October 2021}}</ref>