The saddle quern is a simple grinding implement. which is usually quite large and virtually indestructible. It consists of two components, the upper stone or rubber. and the lower stone or bedstone

Saddle Querns in Chapter 1 of NCERT History

Definition
Saddle querns are a type of grinding stone used in ancient civilizations for grinding grains into flour. They were commonly used in households for daily food preparation.

Explanation
Saddle querns are one of the earliest tools used by human beings for grinding grains. They consist of two parts: a lower stone called the quern and an upper stone called the handstone. The quern is a flat, horizontal stone with a shallow depression in its center, while the handstone is a smaller stone that is used to grind the grains by moving it back and forth on the quern.

Usage and Function
Saddle querns were used extensively in ancient times, especially in rural areas where larger grinding mills were not available. They were an essential tool for processing grains like wheat, barley, and millets into flour. The grains were poured into the depression on the quern, and the handstone was used to grind them by applying pressure and moving it in a circular or back-and-forth motion. This process resulted in the grains being crushed and ground into fine flour.

Advantages of Saddle Querns
1. Accessibility: Saddle querns were widely used because they were simple to make and easily accessible to people in rural areas.
2. Portability: These grinding stones were light and portable, allowing people to carry them to different locations, such as fields or temporary settlements.
3. Efficiency: Saddle querns were effective in grinding small quantities of grains, providing enough flour for daily consumption.

Limitations of Saddle Querns
1. Labour Intensive: Grinding grains using saddle querns required physical effort and time, as the process was manual and repetitive.
2. Slow Process: Saddle querns were not as efficient as larger grinding mills, resulting in a slower grinding process.
3. Limited Capacity: These grinding stones could only grind small quantities of grains at a time, making it cumbersome for larger households or communities.

Conclusion
Saddle querns played a significant role in ancient civilizations as an important tool for grinding grains into flour. Despite their limitations, they were widely used and contributed to the daily food preparation of households. The advent of more advanced grinding mills eventually replaced saddle querns, but their historical significance and impact on early human civilizations cannot be undermined.