Clothing in the ancient world
The preservation of fabric fibers and leathers allows for insights into the attire of ancient societies. The clothing used in the ancient world reflects the technologies that these peoples mastered. In many cultures, clothing indicated the social status of various members of society.
The clothing of men and women at several social levels of Ancient Egypt are depicted in this tomb mural from the 15th century BC
Women entertainers perform at a celebration in Ancient Egypt; the dancers are naked and the musician wears a typical pleated garment as well as the cone of perfumed fat on top of her wig that melts slowly to emit its precious odors; both groups wear extensive jewelry, wigs, and cosmetics; neither wear shoes – Tomb of Nebamun c. 1400 BC
Queen Ahmose, Pharaoh Thutmose I, and daughter Neferubity – note the youthful sidelock on the child and the royal attire and wigs on the adults
Fresco of three Cretan women in the open blouse that was typical in the later Minoan Culture - their skirts would have begun at the waist, were flounced, and of many colorful patterns
A tunic is a garment for the body, usually simple in style, reaching from the shoulders to a length somewhere between the hips and the knees. The name derives from the Latin tunica, the basic garment worn by both men and women in Ancient Rome, which in turn was based on earlier Greek garments that covered wearers' waists.
Coptic-Byzantine wool tunic, small enough for a child (6th century AD) (Walters Art Museum)
Germanic tunic of the 4th century AD found in the Thorsberg moor
20th-century Yemenite Jews dressed in tunics
