The oldest shoe was found by archeologists in a dry and cool cave on the territory of today’s Armenia. The right-footed moccasin was made 5,500 years ago and is size 7. The moccasin is made from leather and was found buried in sheep dung which helped to preserve it in good condition.
The moccasin is 3.9 inches wide and 9.6 inches long. Archeologists assume that it was worn by a farmer and was made from cow hide. The hide had been tanned and cut into 2 layers, which was a new technology at the time, explain archeologists. The moccasin is compressed in the toe and heel area due to long years of use and many miles of walking. Shoes that date back to the Copper Age are very rare because plant materials and leather decompose quickly.
People began to wear shoes for foot protection. There are prickly bushes and sharp stones around the cave, and it is found in a rugged terrain. Moccasins like this would have helped people to travel long distances and cope with cold and hot weather and extreme temperatures. The oldest sandals are even older – they were discovered in Missouri and were made 7,000 years ago.
