Humans have been wearing shoes for a very long time, but pinpointing the exact moment they started is tricky.
Ancient shoes made from animal skins, plant fibers, and other materials often don’t last long enough to be found.
However, some discoveries give us clues about early footwear.
Ancient Footwear Discoveries
Oregon Sandals: The oldest directly dated shoes are 10,400-year-old sandals made from sagebrush bark.
They were found in Fort Rock Cave, Oregon.
These finely woven sandals had a flat sole and a foot cover.
They were likely made by early inhabitants of the region who needed durable and functional footwear.
Worldwide Finds:
- Armenia: A 5,500-year-old leather shoe was found in a cave.
- Spain: Grass sandals dating back 6,200 years were discovered.
- Missouri: Footwear as old as 8,300 years has been uncovered, adding to the evidence that ancient humans across the globe were creating and using shoes.
Fort Rock Cave Sandals
Archaeologists began excavating Fort Rock Cave in 1938 and found dozens of sagebrush sandals.
Similar sandals have been discovered in the Great Basin area of the U.S., which lies between the Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains.
Native groups in Oregon, such as the Klamath and Northern Paiute peoples, historically used woven footwear in winter, especially for activities around cold marshes and lakes.
These sandals, while porous, helped retain body heat even when wet.
Ethnographic accounts suggest that these shoes were designed for comfort and practicality in harsh winter conditions.
Other Potential Finds
Spirit Cave Mummy: In Nevada, a 10,600-year-old mummy called the Spirit Cave Mummy was found with hide moccasins.
These moccasins might be older than the Fort Rock Cave sandals, but their exact age hasn’t been directly measured.
The discovery hints at the possibility of even older footwear existing, made from perishable materials that have not survived the test of time.
Even Older Evidence?
- Fossil Shoe Prints: Fossil tracks on a South African beach might be shoe prints dating back up to 150,000 years.
These prints lack toe impressions, suggesting the people who made them could have been wearing shoes.
This hypothesis is based on the shape and nature of the prints, which differ from barefoot tracks.
- Modern Comparisons: Researchers compared these ancient prints with tracks made by the modern Indigenous San people, who wear sandals on the Kalahari Desert sands.
They found that a hard-sole design made on moist, moderately soft sand matched the ancient prints.
By experimenting with various designs, they concluded that the tracks were likely made by shoes designed for specific environmental conditions.
Conclusion
While the oldest known shoes are about 10,400 years old, evidence suggests humans might have worn shoes as far back as 150,000 years.
Ancient footwear likely helped protect feet from injuries and extreme temperatures, just as it does today.
The evolution of shoes reflects the adaptability and innovation of early humans in response to their environments.