Scientists have discovered the oldest fabric in the world.
An international group of scientists has discovered the oldest fabric dyed Indigo. Currently this dye is used in the manufacture of jeans. Description open published in the journal Science.
The artifact was found at Huaca Prieta (Huaca Prieta) is a hill on the North coast of Peru. According to scientists, when they discovered a piece of cotton fabric, its color was indistinguishable from the gray dirt. However, after thorough rinsing, it appeared that he was covered in blue paint. The results of chemical analysis demonstrated that the dye was composed of chemical compounds indigotin and indirubin — key components of Indigo.
According to experts, the age of discovery reaches six thousand years. Prior to this, the oldest artifact containing Indigo was considered a piece of fabric was found in Egypt and dated to four thousand years.
Indigo is one of the most common dyes in the ancient world and now. It is used in the manufacture of ink and watercolors, and also used for dyeing cotton fiber in the production of denim.
