Oldest Textile Fragment

The oldest piece of fabric found in the world is a piece of linen cloth from Egypt’s first Dynasty, approximately 5,000 years ago1. This cloth is known as the Tarkhan dress and it features tightly pleated sleeves and a yoke stitched to a skirt2. It was discovered in 1913 in a cemetery south of Cairo and was preserved by the dry desert conditions1.

The oldest piece of silk cloth found in the world is from China, dating to approximately 3630 BCE3. Silk production was a closely guarded secret in ancient China and silk was considered the “Queen of Textiles” for its strength and beauty3.

The oldest piece of tartan cloth found in the world is from Scotland, dating to around 500 years ago4. It was unearthed in a peat bog in Glen Affric and was naturally preserved by the lack of oxygen4. Tartan is a pattern of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colors that is characteristic of Scottish culture4.