The Prehistoric Period

Earth began 4.5 billion years ago, but human evolution represents only a small fraction of that timeline. The Prehistoric Period, spanning from around 2.5 million years ago to 1,200 B.C., marks the time before written records. It is divided into three main archaeological periods: the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age. This era saw significant transformations, from tool-making and hunting to agriculture, art, and religion.

The Stone Age

The Stone Age is subdivided into the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age), Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age), and Neolithic (New Stone Age) periods. This era is defined by the development and use of tools and the gradual shift from hunting and gathering to farming.

• Paleolithic Period (2.5 million years ago to 10,000 B.C.): Early humans lived in caves, huts, or tepees and were primarily hunters and gatherers. They used basic stone and bone tools, crude stone axes, and controlled fire for cooking animals like woolly mammoths, deer, and bison. They also fished and collected fruits, nuts, and berries. Paleolithic humans created the first known art, using natural materials like ochres and charcoal to create cave paintings and carvings of figurines from stone, clay, bones, and antlers. The end of the Paleolithic period coincided with the last Ice Age’s conclusion, leading to the extinction of many large mammals and prompting human migration.
• Mesolithic Period (10,000 B.C. to 8,000 B.C.): Humans developed smaller, polished stone tools, often attached to antlers, bones, or wood to create spears and arrows. They lived nomadically near water bodies and began introducing agriculture, which led to more permanent village settlements.
• Neolithic Period (8,000 B.C. to 3,000 B.C.): This period marked a shift to agriculture and food production. Humans domesticated animals, cultivated grains, and used polished tools like hand axes and adzes for farming. They built permanent homes, developed pottery, sewing, and weaving, and settled in plains, signifying the dawn of more complex societies.

The Bronze Age (3,000 B.C. to 1,300 B.C.)

The discovery of bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, revolutionized tool and weapon-making, replacing stone tools. This period saw innovations like the ox-drawn plow and the wheel, advancing agriculture and transportation. Architecture and art flourished, with the invention of the potter’s wheel and textiles becoming prominent. Clothing mainly consisted of woolen garments such as skirts, kilts, tunics, and cloaks. People lived in roundhouses made of stone walls with thatched roofs and hearths.

Societies became more organized, with the development of governments, laws, and religions. The ancient Egyptians built pyramids, and the first written records, like Egyptian hieroglyphs and petroglyphs, emerged during this time.

The Iron Age (1,300 B.C. to 900 B.C.)

Ironworking began in this period, with iron initially considered more valuable than gold. Wrought iron tools and weapons were easier to produce than bronze, leading to widespread use. Architectural advancements included the construction of four-room homes, hill forts, royal palaces, and temples. Early city planning introduced organized streets and water systems.

Agriculture, art, and religion grew more sophisticated, and writing systems began to develop, marking the transition into the Early Historical Period.

Fashion and Symbolism in Prehistoric Times

While modern fashion is often associated with runways and designers, prehistoric societies also placed importance on appearance. Statues from the Neolithic period, like the Venus of Willendorf, depict full-figured women, symbolizing fertility. The Venus’ head has sparked debates—is it hair or a hat? If it’s a hat, it might be the earliest evidence of knitting from around 25,000 B.C.

Other figures, like the Venus of Brassempouy from France, also show detailed head coverings or hairstyles, hinting at early fashion trends. The Gravettian culture (35,000 – 22,000 B.C.) from Northern Europe, particularly Hungary and Romania, provides further insights. The Young Prince of Arene Candide, a 15-16-year-old boy, was buried with shell and ivory ornaments sewn onto his leather clothing, suggesting that even nomadic people valued style and appearance.

Clothing in Warmer Climates

Though direct evidence is scarce, it’s likely that prehistoric people in warmer climates also used clothing for status and expression, much like modern tribal societies. Bradshaw rock paintings in Australia depict figures adorned with feathers and headdresses. Comparing these to contemporary tribes like the Dogon of West Africa suggests that similar attire and symbolism existed in ancient times.

The Bog People and Clothing Preservation

Bog bodies, preserved in peat bogs, provide remarkable insights into prehistoric clothing and grooming. Dating back about 6,000 years, these bodies often show signs of violent death, possibly from sacrifices or executions.

The Huldremose Woman, discovered in Denmark in 1879, is one of the best-preserved bog bodies. She wore a woolen skirt, a red scarf, and two skin capes made from 14 sheep. Her clothing was colorful and intricately made, reflecting the textile skills of Iron Age societies. Forensic analysis revealed that she was strangled with a woolen rope, and her body was carefully dressed before being placed in the bog.

Otzi the Iceman (3,300 B.C.)

Discovered in the Alps in the 1990s, Otzi offers a detailed look at prehistoric clothing. He wore a leather belt, leggings, a loincloth, and a tailored hide coat. His straw cape provided insulation and waterproofing, while his leather and twine shoes were stuffed with straw for warmth. Otzi’s attire suggests specialized craftsmanship, indicating an early fashion industry where people traded skills and goods.

Otzi also had 40 tattoos, believed to correspond to acupuncture points, hinting at early medicinal practices. His murder—shot in the back with an arrow—makes him one of history’s oldest murder mysteries.

Clothing, Accessories, and Hairstyles in Prehistoric Societies

Prehistoric statues and artifacts suggest a variety of clothing styles and grooming habits:

• Skirts: Many statues depict figures wearing skirts, often pleated or decorated, with the upper body left bare.
• Dresses: Some statues show full dresses with basic decorations, indicating more complex clothing styles.
• Accessories: Burial sites have yielded shell artifacts with holes, likely used as buttons, suggesting that people were buried in their clothing.
• Materials: While no prehistoric textiles have survived, spindle whorls and sewing needles indicate that people spun yarn, likely from sheep’s wool, and sewed garments.
• Hairstyles: Stone and clay carvings show chin-length bob hairstyles, plaits, and curls. The Sleeping Lady statue even suggests partial head shaving, highlighting diverse grooming practices.

The Bog People provide further evidence of grooming and fashion. One bog man had a meticulously styled pompadour, using imported Spanish pine resin as hair gel, while another had a perfect manicure, showcasing the importance of personal appearance in prehistoric societies.

Prehistoric and ancient clothing wasn’t just functional—it reflected status, identity, and artistic expression, much like fashion today.