Neolithic

The Neolithic, (also known as the "New Stone Age"), the final division of the Stone Age, began about 12,000 years ago when the first development of farming appeared in the Epipalaeolithic Near East, and later in other parts of the world. The division lasted until the transitional period of the Chalcolithic from about 6,500 years ago (4500 BC), marked by the development of metallurgy, leading up to the Bronze Age and Iron Age. In Northern Europe, the Neolithic lasted until about 1700 BC, while in China it extended until 1200 BC. Other parts of the world (including the New World) remained broadly in the Neolithic stage of development, although this term may not be used, until European contact.

 

The Neolithic comprises a progression of behavioral and cultural characteristics and changes, including the use of wild and domestic crops and of domesticated animals.

The term Neolithic derives from the Greek νέος néos, "new" and λίθος líthos, "stone", literally meaning "New Stone Age". The term was coined by Sir John Lubbock in 1865 as a refinement of the three-age system.

What Kind of Clothing Did Neolithic People Wear?

Neolithic people wore handmade cloaks, shoes and head-dressings. During the Neolithic transition, when a large portion of the population settled in sedentary farming communities, advances in textiles, tooling and resources allowed for better quality clothing to be made.

Furs and non-cured hides were among the most popular materials used to make clothing during the Neolithic Age. Furs required the least amount of processing, as they were pinned together with bone fasteners, rather than stitched. They were also the best material to provide protection to the body during harsh, cold winter months.

With the surplus production in agriculture following the transition to sedentary life, cultivators began trading their harvest of flax, cotton, wool and goat hair for specialized services like weaving, making textiles abundantly available. Each household began to weave its own clothing. Some weavers with specialized skills began to manufacture excess clothing for trade of grains, milk and meat. Specialized weavers produced clothing with stitched patterns, dyed textiles and scraped hides.

As the Neolithic transition progressed, people began paying closer attention to their appearance. In addition to better quality clothes, people began enhancing their looks with jewelry and makeup. Women rubbed hematite on their cheeks and lips to create a reddish glow. Seashells and string were used by both men and women to create bracelets, headpieces and necklaces with which they could adorn their cloaks.