Why did humans start wearing clothes? How?

Evolution of human clothing: The question of when humans first started wearing clothes has intrigued scientists and historians alike. Did we cover ourselves out of modesty, or were there other reasons? Interestingly, one unlikely source—a small parasite—has helped scientists uncover when humans began wearing clothes.

Early Human life and clothing choices

Evidence from archaeological digs suggests that humans have roamed the Earth for millions of years. As we are all born without clothes, there must have been a point in time when early humans transitioned from being naked to covering themselves with garments. In the beginning, humans likely used tree bark, animal skins, leaves, and vines for protection. But the key question is: why did this happen, and when?

A common misconception is that humans started wearing clothes solely for modesty. However, historical records and research suggest a more complex origin, likely tied to environmental and survival needs.

The curious case of the Tollund Man

In the 1950s, archaeologists made a significant discovery when they unearthed a 2,600-year-old body known as the "Tollund Man." Unlike most ancient finds that only reveal skeletal remains, this body was remarkably preserved, allowing researchers to study not just the bones, but also the stomach contents and some organs. The Tollund Man's preserved state provided a rare glimpse into what people ate and how they lived during that period. It was discovered that the people of that time consumed a porridge-like mixture of grains and grasses.

However, when it comes to ancient clothing, the challenge is even greater. Clothing materials, unlike bones, deteriorate over time, leaving very few traces for archaeologists. One of the oldest pieces of evidence of human clothing comes from Ötzi, a mummy found in the 1990s. His 5,000-year-old remains revealed that he wore leather belts, shoes, and a hat.

How and why did humans start wearing clothes?

As humans evolved, they spread from the warm plains of Africa to colder parts of the world. With the loss of body hair, which once provided warmth, early humans had to find other ways to protect themselves from the elements. This is where clothing came into play.

One clue to when humans began wearing clothes lies in the development of sewing tools. Archaeologists have discovered that needles, used for stitching garments, date back around 40,000 years. This indicates that by this time, humans were already making complex clothing. But scientists believe the need for clothing may have arisen even earlier, possibly as a response to changing climates, particularly during the Ice Age.

What is the Savannah hypothesis?

Humans, unlike our closest primate relatives, such as gorillas and chimpanzees, have far less body hair. The "Savannah Hypothesis" is one explanation for this. About five million years ago, our ancestors began walking on two legs, and by two million years ago, Homo erectus—the precursor to modern humans—emerged. Homo erectus lived in the African savannah, where running long distances to hunt prey caused the body to heat up. To regulate this body heat, humans evolved to sweat more efficiently. Having fewer body hairs allowed for easier sweat evaporation, thus cooling the body down during long hunts.

But with the loss of body hair came a downside. Around 2.5 million years ago, the planet entered an Ice Age, and temperatures plummeted. Without the natural protection of thick hair, humans faced harsh conditions as they migrated out of Africa to colder climates. Fire provided some warmth, but it was likely during this period that humans first began covering themselves with clothing to survive.

Surprising role of lice in understanding human clothing

One of the most unexpected discoveries regarding the history of human clothing comes from lice. Human head lice and body lice are two different species, and body lice thrive in clothing. Scientists have used the divergence of these two lice species to estimate when humans started wearing clothes. Their findings suggest that humans began wearing clothing around 170,000 years ago, likely during the Ice Age.

Thus, it wasn't modesty that initially drove humans to cover their bodies—it was the need for warmth and survival. The exact timeline of when clothes first appeared is still debated, but the role of clothing in human evolution is undeniable. From early leather garments to the development of sewing techniques, clothing has been an essential part of the human story.