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Oldest Sewn Clothing Discovered: Elk Hide Fragments Unearthed

2/11/2026

28 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Researchers in Oregon uncovered two small scraps of elk hide dating to about 12,400 years ago.
Archaeologist Richard Rosencrance states the fragments are likely the oldest sewn clothing pieces and show they were sewn together.
Radiocarbon dating places the items at the end of the last Ice Age.
The Cougar Mountain Cave site yielded stone tools and bone needles.
The dry climate preserved these items.

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Story summary

Researchers in Oregon uncovered two small scraps of elk hide dating to about 12,400 years ago.
Archaeologist Richard Rosencrance states the fragments are likely the oldest sewn clothing pieces and show they were sewn together.
Radiocarbon dating places the items at the end of the last Ice Age.
The Cougar Mountain Cave site yielded stone tools and bone needles.
The dry climate preserved these items.