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Ice Age Haute Couture

And other recent science discoveries

by Otto Johnson

More Discoveries

According to recent research by archaeologists at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the well-dressed Ice Age woman's outfit doesn't resemble anything like the crude hide and fur garments that Wilma Flintstone wore.

Caps, Belts, and Skirts

Instead, the warm weather clothing of at least some of our ancestors included caps or snoods, belts, skirts, bandeaux (banding over the breasts), bracelets, and necklaces—all constructed of plant fibers in a great variety of woven textiles.

Comparable to Modern Fibers

The finest weaves of Ice Age seamstresses are comparable not only to Neolithic but even later Bronze and Iron Age products and, in fact, to some of the thin cotton and linen worn today.

Textile Impressions Found in Czech Republic

The new evidence comes in part from a study of 80 textile impressions found on tiny clay fragments in the Czech Republic. The impressions are the earliest evidence for cordage and textile production in the world and reflect technologies heretofore only associated with fine garments of later periods.