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World's oldest shoe[/caption]
Armenia has an ancient history and has been the site of many incredible discoveries. Our caves, in particular, have attracted archaeologists from across the globe to study, explore and discover new and interesting finds that we can share with the rest of the world.
One of our mind-blowing discoveries has been that of an ancient shoe which was discovered by a team consisting of several international archaeologists. The shoe was still in a relatively good condition with the laces still intact. In fact, the sound condition of the shoe led researchers to assume that it was not as old as what they expected it to be.
It was only following further analysis that it was confirmed as the oldest shoe ever discovered to be worn by man.
The shoe was found by one of our Armenian Ph.D. students, Ms. Diana Zardaryan and has shown to date back as far as the Chalcolithic period. When reporting to the media, Ms. Zardaryan said that she was amazed "to find that even the shoe-laces were preserved." It was made of only a single piece of leather which had been carefully cut and shaped to fit the foot of a human.
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An archaeologist photographs the dig site[/caption]
Researchers have considered it possible that the conditions in the cave would have been suitable to preserve the hide, as well as a few of the items discovered, including wheat, barley, and apricots, all of which are well – preserved.
An archaeologist from UCLA, Gregory Areshian was present when the shoe was discovered and described the findings as being "fresh, dried like they were put in a can."
It remains uncertain as to whether the shoe belonged to a woman or a man. It has been measured and found to be the same size as a US size 7, which could well have been worn by a man during that era. Grass was found inside the shoe, which could have been to either maintain its shape or even for warmth.
The age-old leather shoe is a significant discovery in the history and culture of Armenia.
World's oldest shoe[/caption]
Armenia has an ancient history and has been the site of many incredible discoveries. Our caves, in particular, have attracted archaeologists from across the globe to study, explore and discover new and interesting finds that we can share with the rest of the world.
One of our mind-blowing discoveries has been that of an ancient shoe which was discovered by a team consisting of several international archaeologists. The shoe was still in a relatively good condition with the laces still intact. In fact, the sound condition of the shoe led researchers to assume that it was not as old as what they expected it to be.
It was only following further analysis that it was confirmed as the oldest shoe ever discovered to be worn by man.
The shoe was found by one of our Armenian Ph.D. students, Ms. Diana Zardaryan and has shown to date back as far as the Chalcolithic period. When reporting to the media, Ms. Zardaryan said that she was amazed "to find that even the shoe-laces were preserved." It was made of only a single piece of leather which had been carefully cut and shaped to fit the foot of a human.
[caption id="attachment_1510" align="alignleft" width="300"] An archaeologist photographs the dig site[/caption]
Researchers have considered it possible that the conditions in the cave would have been suitable to preserve the hide, as well as a few of the items discovered, including wheat, barley, and apricots, all of which are well – preserved.
An archaeologist from UCLA, Gregory Areshian was present when the shoe was discovered and described the findings as being "fresh, dried like they were put in a can."
It remains uncertain as to whether the shoe belonged to a woman or a man. It has been measured and found to be the same size as a US size 7, which could well have been worn by a man during that era. Grass was found inside the shoe, which could have been to either maintain its shape or even for warmth.
The age-old leather shoe is a significant discovery in the history and culture of Armenia.