RSS
News


Home Page > News > Irish archaeologist leads discovery of world’s oldest shoe

Irish archaeologist leads discovery of world’s oldest shoe

By
DANIEL O'CARROLL,
Published Thursday, June 10, 2010, 2:43 PM
Updated Thursday, June 10, 2010, 2:49 PM

print this article Print
email this articleE-mail
comment on article 8 Comments
 

World's oldest shoe
World's oldest shoe


A research team, led by an archaeologist from Ireland’s University College Cork, has found what is believed to be the world’s oldest shoe, in Armenia.

Dr Ron Pinhasi, of University College Cork, Ireland, led the expedition, and said that the finding of the 5,500-year-old shoe was a breakthrough “It is not known whether the shoe belonged to a man or woman,”, said the academic, adding that the shoe, “could well have fitted a man from that era”. The shoe was about a US size seven.

The shoe, which dates back to around 3,500BC, was in near-perfect condition when it was found by the archaeologists.

The shoe contained grass, but archaeologists are undecided on whether this was to keep the shoe warm or to maintain its shape; some scientists believe the grass to be a primitive form of the modern shoe-horn.

Near perfect preservation of the piece was due to the cool, dry conditions of the cave in which the shoe was found. The cave floor was also lined with sheep dung, which acted as a sealant over the discoveries.

The 41-year-old archaeologist hails from Israel, but has been living in Cork since 2007. He was educated in Belgium as well as Canada.

The purpose of the cave, though, or even the reason the shoe was in the cave, remain mysteries.

The shoe itself was discovered by an Armenian PhD student working on Dr Pinhasi’s team, who said that she was “amazed” to make the discovery.
 

​
print this article Print
email this articleE-mail


8 Comments

See all comments

paul22b | Jun 15, 2010, 04:53 PM EDT
"near-perfect condition..?" Compared to what?

Report abuse

paul22b | Jun 15, 2010, 04:50 PM EDT
that picture looks like a sandwich from subway. gross!

Report abuse

paul22b | Jun 15, 2010, 04:40 PM EDT
"was in near-perfect condition when it was found by the archaeologists." that shoe looks like it is 6,000 years old. in near-perfect condition compared to what?

Report abuse

Costaprint | Jun 14, 2010, 07:28 AM EDT
Wonderful - now we will be able to copy the technology

Report abuse

dingdong987 | Jun 12, 2010, 11:15 AM EDT
===== http://www.clotheshops.us ==== Air jordan(1-24)shoes $30 Handbags(Coach l v f e n d i d&g) $35 Tshirts (Polo ,ed hardy,lacoste) $15 Jean(True Religion,ed hardy,coogi) $30 Sunglasses(Oakey,coach,gucci,A r m a i n i) $15 New era cap $12 Bikini (Ed hardy,polo) $20 accept paypal and free shipping ===== http://www.clotheshops.us ====

Report abuse

JimRich | Jun 11, 2010, 07:59 PM EDT
What i find totally amazing, is that after 5500 or- yrs., we're still lacing our shoes up the middle. AWESOME !!! Great job team DIG - A - LOT

Report abuse

MrSheil | Jun 11, 2010, 11:30 AM EDT
U R 1 Funny Bloke

Report abuse

MrSheil | Jun 11, 2010, 11:29 AM EDT
I was wondering where My other shoe went... May I please have it back?

Report abuse

 


IrishCentral logo
"Like" IrishCentral
IrishCentral Mobile QR code


Connect to IrishCentral with your Facebook account

or Sign-Up directly

Already Registered? Sign-In!

Welcome to IrishCentral!
Please provide the following information in order to create your account

Username:
E-Mail Address:
Password:
Confirm Password:
I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy


Already Registered? Sign-In!
Forgot my password

Welcome to IrishCentral!
All we need is the following information and you will be part of the #1 Irish community in the US

E-Mail Address:
First select a unique username:
Username:
Now choose a password:
Password:
Confirm Password:
I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Thank you!

Just one more step and you will be part of the largest Irish community in America! Tell us a little more about you to start enjoying all the features of IrishCentral.

Additional Information:

First Name:
Last Name:
Date of Birth:
Zip:
Gender: Male  Female 
Country:
Degree of Irishness:
Household Income:
Level of Education:

Subscribe to our newsletters:

The Best of IrishCentral - Daily Newsletter
Special Offers from our sponsors

or
Skip

You can edit your information at any time, just go to "my account" when you're logged in.

Log into IrishCentral with your Facebook account

or sign-in directly

E-Mail:
Password:
 Remember me Forgot my password
Not a member? Register Now!
submit to reddit
print this article Print
email this articleE-mail