World’s Oldest Tailored Dress Unearthed in Egypt, Dates Back Over 5,000 Years

Archaeologists have officially confirmed that a linen garment discovered in Egypt is the world’s oldest known tailored dress, dating back more than 5,000 years. Known as the Tarkhan Dress, this rare piece of clothing was found in the early 20th century at the Tarkhan Cemetery near Cairo and has now been radiocarbon dated to between 3482 and 3102 B.C.

Originally excavated in 1913 by famed British archaeologist Sir Flinders Petrie, the garment was initially overlooked among a pile of burial textiles. It wasn’t until 1977 that experts at the Victoria and Albert Museum identified the garment’s significance and delicate craftsmanship, revealing it to be far more than a burial shroud.

The Tarkhan Dress features detailed tailoring with a fitted bodice, pleated sleeves, and a subtle V-neck design—elements that suggest advanced sewing skills and aesthetic awareness. Remarkably well-preserved for its age, the dress shows clear signs of having been worn, with fabric wear observed near the elbows and underarms. This indicates that it was likely used in daily life before being included in a burial.

Textile experts believe the dress belonged to a young woman, possibly of high social status, given the care and complexity involved in its construction. Its survival over millennia provides rare insight into the clothing styles, social structures, and craftsmanship of Egypt’s early dynastic period.

Currently housed at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology at University College London, the dress stands as a testament to the sophistication of ancient Egyptian textile technology. Its discovery is not only a milestone in archaeological research but also reshapes our understanding of early human fashion, highlighting the importance of clothing as both a functional and cultural artifact.