The World's Oldest Beautiful Shoe

Talk About Retro: The World's Oldest Shoe

Imagine what future generations will think of our kicks
Ysolt Usigan ON Jun 10, 2010 at 2:27PM

Before sky-high Louboutins and Manolos, people (cave men and women, to be specific) wore lace-up flats. And to think, I assumed our prehistoric ancestors walked around barefoot. Silly me -- of course, they wore shoes!

And now, there's proof. Archaeologists discovered the world's oldest known leather shoe while excavating a cave in Armenia. The 5,500-year-old shoes, which are made out of cowhide and tanned with oil from a plant or vegetable, were preserved under layers of sheep dung. Who knew the very thing you're trying to avoid stepping on is what could save your footwear?!

"While the shoe more closely resembles an L.L.Bean-type soft-soled walking shoe than anything by Jimmy Choo, 'these were probably quite expensive shoes, made of leather, very high quality,'" lead scientist Gregory Areshian of the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at the University of California, Los Angeles, told the New York Times.

I wonder who actually wore this particular pair?! Scientists have yet to uncover more details -- after all, these were created before we had user reviews -- all they know is, they were likely worn by a woman with size-7 feet, just a tad shy of the current average of 8.5.

Centuries from now, wouldn't it be cool if excavators discovered our beloved shoes? I wonder what the people of the future would think of our ballet flats, peep-toes and booties?

MY THOUGHTS

amazing that the oldest shoe was probably worn by a woman. with big feet. and with style. leather 5500 years ago.