The Oldest Double-Colour Woven Garment in Europe Unearthed in the Netherlands
A reconstruction of the dress from an Iron Age grave in the Netherlands, created by Prehistorisch Dorp in Eindhoven
Hanna Geels
A remarkable discovery has been made in the Netherlands, where archaeologists unearthed a 2800-year-old red and blue checked dress in an Early Iron Age grave. This find is believed to be the oldest double-colour woven garment in Europe, shedding light on ancient textile production techniques.
Despite the complete decay of the skeleton of the elite individual who was buried in this striking outfit, the harsh, sandy soil preserved remnants of the once vibrant dress. Through mineralisation beneath metallic jewellery, researchers have determined that the dyed textiles used in the dress originated from clothing, providing valuable insights into the fashion of the time.
Karina Grömer, a researcher at the Natural History Museum in Vienna, has been studying this fascinating discovery, piecing together the history and significance of this ancient garment.
