The 2008 discovery of the earliest known textile at Dzudzuana Cave

Record summary

Excavations at Dzudzuana Cave recovered preserved plant fibers from Upper Palaeolithic layers, with later research identifying some as modified or dyed flax fibers. The material became important for investigating clothing, cordage, plant use and technological behavior before agriculture, as well as possible environmental adaptation. It offers a useful comparison with later textile traditions without requiring that every fiber represent woven cloth. Uncertainties concern use-wear, intentional modification, contamination, chronology and whether the fibers were clothing, cordage or other material.