Archaeologists have found the oldest known pieces of sewn clothing in human history, in caves in Oregon, which could rewrite history and reveal advanced skills of North American inhabitants thousands of years ago
A recent study by archaeologist Richard Rosenkranz of the University of Nevada and his team has uncovered carefully stitched animal hides dating back to the end of the last Ice Age, approximately 12,000 years ago. This discovery suggests that humans at that time were ingenious and adaptable, cleverly utilizing everyday materials in a period preceding the Holocene epoch, which saw the rise of ancient civilizations.
The team discovered 55 handmade artifacts from 15 different types of plants and animals, including relics that were likely clothing or shoes, as well as braided ropes, knots, baskets and parts of wooden traps.
The major discoveries came from Cougar Mountain Cave in southern Oregon, where the oldest known sewn animal hide, twisted plant fibers, and some of the oldest bone needles used for sewing were found. Paisley Caverns in the central part of the state revealed more ropes and interlocking structures, while other sites, such as Conley Caverns and the Toll Lake Rock Shelter, contained finely pierced bone needles, indicating a high level of sewing skill.
These artifacts demonstrate that Ice Age inhabitants were not merely hunter-gatherers, but possessed advanced techniques in clothing and crafts. For example, recently dated pieces include a deerskin piece sewn with cord made of plant fibers and animal hair, possibly part of a coat, shoe, or narrow bag, making it the oldest known example of sewn leather. Cords made from plants such as wormwood, oleander, and reeds were also found, used for sewing, tying things up, or weaving them into simple baskets and mats.
Studies indicate that these caves served as primary shelters for hunter-gatherer groups who traveled in search of food around 12,000 years ago. The first artifacts were discovered in Mount Cougar Cave in 1958 by an amateur archaeologist named John Coles, and his collection was later donated to the Favell Museum in Klamath Falls, where it has been kept ever since.
Rosenkranz's study re-examined these ancient collections using modern tests, such as radiocarbon dating, to confirm the age and accuracy of the discoveries.
The study was published in the journal Science Advances.
