12,000-Year-Old Sewing Found in US Caves

The oldest known examples of sewn clothing, crafted approximately 12,000 years ago during the last Ice Age, have been unearthed in dry caves in Oregon's northern Great Basin region. These discoveries, including animal hides stitched with plant fibers and animal hair, suggest that early North American inhabitants possessed sophisticated technological skills thousands of years before the construction of the Great Pyramid of Egypt.

Archaeologists recovered 55 crafted items made from 15 different plant and animal types. Notably, a piece of elk hide, cleaned and de-haired, was meticulously stitched, likely forming part of a coat, shoe, or bag. Numerous braided cords, knots, wooden trap parts, and baskets made from local plants further attest to the ingenuity of these ancient peoples.

These well-preserved fibers were found in sites like Cougar Mountain Cave and Paisley Caves, where bone needles suitable for sewing were also discovered. Initially unearthed decades ago by amateur and professional archaeologists, these collections have been re-examined using modern radiocarbon dating techniques. The findings indicate that Ice Age people in North America were innovative and adaptable, utilizing everyday materials in sophisticated ways.