An extraordinary discovery from the ancient world has been making waves in the archaeological community. The Tarkhan Dress, found in Egypt, is the world’s oldest known complex woven garment, offering a rare glimpse into the life and fashion of ancient Egyptians. This simple yet elegant linen garment, which dates back over 5,000 years.
A Remarkable Find from Ancient Egypt
The Tarkhan Dress was unearthed in 1913 by Sir Flinders Petrie, a British archaeologist, at the Tarkhan Cemetery near Giza, Egypt. The area, rich in archaeological significance, contained thousands of tombs dating back to the late Protodynastic and Early Dynastic periods, around 3100 B.C.
Among these tombs, Petrie discovered a “great pile of linen cloth,” which, at first glance, seemed to be nothing more than discarded rags. But this seemingly insignificant pile would turn out to be a revolutionary find.
In 1977, conservators at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London reexamined the fabric and realized they had stumbled upon an exceptional historical artifact—the Tarkhan Dress. Carbon dating has confirmed the dress’s age, placing it between 3482 and 3102 B.C., making it the oldest surviving example of a cut-and-fitted garment in the world.
A Glimpse Into Early Egyptian Fashion
Crafted from flax linen, the Tarkhan Dress features a simple yet refined V-neckline and is made from three hand-woven pieces of fabric. Its design is tailored to fit the body, as evidenced by the knife-pleat decoration on the sleeves and bodice, which consists of sharp, narrow folds of fabric. Though the bottom of the garment is missing, experts speculate that it could have been a shirt, tunic, or dress, most likely worn by a young, slim woman.
The garment is a perfect example of early Egyptian tailoring, highlighting the skills of ancient weavers who carefully crafted functional and decorative textiles. The preservation of such an intricate piece of clothing, especially one made from a perishable material like linen, is incredibly rare.
As Alice Stevenson, a professor of museum archaeology at University College London, pointed out in a 2016 study, “the survival of highly perishable textiles in the archaeological record is exceptional.”
More Than Just Funeral Wear
While the Tarkhan Dress was ultimately used in a burial, its history suggests that it was not made specifically for funerary purposes. The dress bears signs of wear, indicating that it was worn by an elite individual before it was placed in the tomb. This discovery aligns with the artistic representations from this time period, which often depicted deceased individuals wearing similar garments.
It’s clear that the Tarkhan Dress was not just a simple burial item but rather an important piece of clothing likely worn by someone of high status. The dual purpose of the dress—both as a garment of daily wear and as part of a burial ritual—offers valuable insights into how clothing was interwoven with Egypt’s social and funerary customs.
Unlocking Secrets of Ancient Textile Manufacturing
As the oldest surviving example of a tailored garment, it marks an important milestone in the evolution of Egyptian clothing. The techniques used to create such garments would go on to influence later Egyptian fashion.
The discovery of the Tarkhan Dress not only expands our understanding of early Egyptian life but also showcases the extraordinary ability of ancient civilizations to craft long-lasting materials from naturally occurring resources.
