3300 years ago, a man living in what is now the Turfan area was buried along with his precious belongings. Among them was a pair of pale brown wool trousers, carefully sewn from sheep’s wool. These trousers had lain for millennia beneath the arid sands of the Taklamakan Desert until they were discovered by archaeologists in an ancient tomb at the Yanghai cemetery near Turfan.
When first brought to light, these ancient wool trousers still retained their original color and shape, a rare testament to the craftsmanship and weaving techniques of thousands of years ago. Archaeologists studied the trousers meticulously, from the materials, weaving technique, design to the intricate decorative embroideries. They confirmed these are the oldest wool trousers ever found in China.
The discovery of these ancient trousers opened a window into ancient civilizations. It showed that people long ago already knew how to grow, harvest and process wool. They also possessed sophisticated weaving techniques and extensive knowledge of fashion. The ancient wool trousers are an invaluable artifact, a unique cultural heritage of China and the world. They have told us the story of our distant ancestors, of human talent and wisdom from a thousand years ago.
