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When Did Humans Start Wearing Clothes and Stop Being Naked?

The question of when humans first donned clothing is more than just a curiosity about our ancient past – it’s a window into survival, culture, and adaptation. Clothing, which today seems so integral to human identity and societal norms, wasn’t always part of our story. Understanding its origins requires piecing together evidence from unexpected places, from ancient textiles to microscopic parasites.

A 5,500-Year-Old Treasure

A 5,500 Year Old Treasure
Image Credit: Wikipedia / Nic McPhee

The oldest known garment, the Tarkhan Dress, provides a fascinating glimpse into early clothing. Discovered in a tomb in Egypt, this linen dress dates back nearly 5,500 years. Its discovery was accidental – archaeologists initially overlooked it, mistaking it for a pile of dirty linens. Preserved in Egypt’s dry climate, the dress highlights the challenge of finding ancient clothing: textiles rarely survive the ravages of time unless under exceptional conditions.

While the Tarkhan Dress offers a rare example of a complete ancient garment, it’s unlikely to be the first evidence of humans wearing clothes. The search for earlier examples pushes researchers to look beyond textiles, exploring the processes, tools, and even the microscopic organisms connected to clothing.

Early Fragments from Çatalhöyük

Early Fragments from Çatalhöyük
Image Credit: Wikipedia / Murat Özsoy 1958

Long before the Tarkhan Dress, woven textiles existed. At the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük in modern-day Turkey, archaeologists uncovered fragments of cloth nearly 9,000 years old. Initially thought to be made from wool, later studies revealed these fabrics were crafted from plant-based fibers like flax and bast, harvested from tree bark.

These discoveries point to an early understanding of weaving techniques and resource use, but they raise new questions. Did these textiles serve primarily as clothing, or were they used for other purposes like bedding or bags? Even so, their presence hints at a society that valued fabric and may have worn primitive garments.

Flax Fibers and Early Dyeing

Flax Fibers and Early Dyeing
Image Credit: Survival World

Going even further back, evidence from Dzudzuana Cave in Georgia reveals that humans were spinning and dyeing fibers 30,000 years ago. Flax fibers found at the site show signs of being twisted into threads and dyed in colors like black, turquoise, and even pink. This suggests not only functional clothing but also an early sense of aesthetic expression.

The colorful fibers imply that clothing was more than mere protection—it likely held cultural or symbolic significance. The fact that these materials date back tens of thousands of years shows how deeply embedded textiles are in the human story.

Tools of the Trade

Tools of the Trade
Image Credit: Wikipedia / Didier Descouens

Beyond fabric and fibers, the tools used to make clothing offer further clues. In Sibudu Cave in South Africa, archaeologists unearthed a needle dating back 61,000 years. This tool was thin enough to puncture animal hides, likely used to sew leather garments.

The discovery of such tools suggests that clothing wasn’t just draped or wrapped around the body but was carefully constructed. This development would have been crucial for survival, especially in colder climates or during periods of environmental change.

Lice: The Unlikely Witness

Lice The Unlikely Witness
Image Credit: Survival World

One of the most surprising pieces of evidence for the origins of clothing comes not from tools or fabrics, but from lice. Human lice are divided into two subspecies: head lice, which live on hair, and body lice, which live on clothing. The divergence between these subspecies provides a timeline for when clothing began to play a significant role in human life.

By analyzing lice DNA, scientists estimate that body lice emerged between 83,000 and 170,000 years ago, coinciding with the advent of regular clothing use. This finding highlights how even small, unassuming creatures can illuminate the evolutionary milestones of our species.

The Neanderthal Question

The Neanderthal Question
Image Credit: Survival World

While Homo sapiens are often credited with the innovation of clothing, the question remains: did Neanderthals wear clothes? Living in Ice Age Europe, they certainly faced harsh winters. Evidence from stone scrapers suggests they prepared animal hides, likely using them as rudimentary cloaks or wraps.

Animal bones from species like wolves and hares, found at Neanderthal sites, point to the use of fur for insulation. However, Neanderthal clothing may have been less advanced than that of early humans, possibly contributing to their eventual decline. The frequency of such bones at Homo sapiens sites suggests a greater reliance on fur-lined garments, which might have provided an edge in colder climates.

Clothing as a Survival Tool

Clothing as a Survival Tool
Image Credit: Survival World

The earliest clothing likely served purely practical purposes: protecting the body from the elements, insects, and environmental hazards. In colder regions, garments made from animal hides would have been essential for survival. As humans migrated to diverse environments, the need for adaptable clothing became increasingly vital.

Clothing also allowed humans to expand into new territories. The ability to craft and wear protective garments meant that extreme climates, from icy tundras to arid deserts, could be navigated more effectively.

Cultural Expression Through Clothing

Cultural Expression Through Clothing
Image Credit: Survival World

While early clothing was undoubtedly functional, it didn’t take long for it to evolve into a medium of cultural expression. The dyeing of fibers in Dzudzuana Cave suggests that aesthetics mattered, even tens of thousands of years ago. As humans developed more advanced weaving and tailoring techniques, clothing became a marker of identity, status, and community.

The symbolic aspects of clothing continue to resonate today, from ceremonial attire to everyday fashion. What began as a necessity has become one of the most defining features of human culture.

Why Don’t We Find More Evidence?

Why Don’t We Find More Evidence
Image Credit: Survival World

The scarcity of ancient clothing in the archaeological record is due to its fragility. Organic materials like fibers and leather degrade rapidly unless preserved in very specific conditions, such as dry tombs or frozen environments. Much of the evidence likely existed but has long since decayed.

To uncover more about our ancestors’ clothing, researchers rely on indirect evidence like tools, depictions in art, and even the genetics of parasites. Advances in technology may one day reveal even more about this fascinating aspect of human history.

Clothing and Humanity

Clothing and Humanity
Image Credit: Survival World

The story of clothing is deeply intertwined with the story of humanity. From protecting us from harsh climates to allowing us to express individuality, clothing has evolved alongside us. What began as a practical adaptation has grown into a complex cultural phenomenon.

While much of this history remains hidden, the pieces we’ve uncovered – whether they’re ancient fibers, tools, or even lice – paint a vivid picture of our ancestors’ ingenuity. The journey from nakedness to clothing wasn’t just about survival; it was about creativity, identity, and the human spirit’s drive to adapt and thrive.