Trousers more than 3,000 years old

These trousers are more than 3,000 years old.

Found at Yanghai in western China, they are among the oldest known surviving trousers. The patterned knees still look strikingly familiar.

The original Yanghai wool trousers, photographed from above — M. Wagner et al., Archaeological Research in Asia (2022), via Science News. Original research photograph/figure resized.

Their wearer was buried with horse equipment and weapons associated with mounted warriors.

The wool garment combines different weaving techniques, with room at the crotch for the legs to spread while riding.

Original research figure comparing weaving patterns on the ancient trousers — M. Wagner et al., Archaeological Research in Asia (2022), via Science News. Original research photograph/figure resized.

Archaeologists examined the original clothing and made full-size reconstructions to test how it worked.

The original finds are on the left; the reconstructed outfit is on the right.

Original Yanghai burial find on the left; reconstructed outfit on the right — DAI EA / Dominic Hosner (original find, left); Jan Kersten (reconstructed outfit, right). Original image resized.

These trousers are more than 3,000 years old.

Found at Yanghai in western China, they are among the oldest known surviving trousers. The patterned knees still look strikingly familiar.
Their wearer was buried with horse equipment and weapons associated with mounted warriors.

The wool garment combines different weaving techniques, with room at the crotch for the legs to spread while riding.
Archaeologists examined the original clothing and made full-size reconstructions to test how it worked.

The original finds are on the left; the reconstructed outfit is on the right.

Trousers more than 3,000 years old

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