Archaeologists are constantly finding all sorts of interesting things. I want to tell about the earliest known samples of objects that are found today. Of course, you can always find more ancient objects, so “first” is, of course, conditional.
1. The earliest evidence of the use of drugs (2700 years)
We are confident that various psychotropic and narcotic substances were consumed during the Paleolithic. In the end, they are used and even animals. But direct material evidence not. The oldest of today evidence was found during the excavations are related to the culture of a result, gushi (Gushi) the tomb of the 17th century BC in the Gobi desert in China (Yanghai Tombs). In the grave have found what is today called the jamb (if not mistaken) or JDC – rolled cigarette of marijuana.
2. The oldest chewing gum (5,000 years).
Related to the 25th century BC piece of gum was found in Finland. It was made of birch tar (a substance obtained by heating birch bark). As is customary in such cases, old gum stuck to the bottom surface of the furniture.
As far as I know, much later, a similar gum was used in ancient Novgorod, it is good for the oral hygiene.
3. The oldest known musical instrument (42.000 years)
The discovery in 2012 in Germany Neolithic flute was a sensation. So much so that she even composed a few musical pieces. The flute was made from bird bone and had a total of four holes.
4. The oldest Shoe (5,500 years old.)
Made of leather and filled with grass “Shoe” was found in 2010 during excavations in Armenia. Judging by the size, it was a female (or juvenile) shoes. Actually it is something like a moccasin, because the hard soles do not yet know how. Apparently, shoes were intensively used.
5. The oldest women’s skirt (5900 years)
The same excavations in Armenia, where was found the oldest Shoe was found the oldest (100 years older than the shoes) women’s skirt. It was made from braided grass “fabric”. Preserved remains unfortunately do not allow to judge about the style, but it is likely that it was a mini-skirt.
6. Oldest artificial eye (4800 years)
Made from a mixture of resin with animal fat artificial eyeball was found during excavations in Iran and belonged to (judging by the skull) woman 25-30 years of age. Judging by the tests, an artificial eye for many years was in contact with surrounding tissues during the life.
7. The oldest popcorn (6700 years)
In principle, I don’t find it amazing. Corn grown for a very long time, fire use even longer. So it seemed natural to connect one with the other. But the Americans, the biggest popcorn lovers in the world, a discovery made in Peru, seemed quite amazing. Someone, instead of that I would grind the grain into flour, just put it on a hot stone and get popcorn.
8. The oldest bag (4500 years)
A small, square shaped and embellished with a hundred dog teeth bag, found during excavations in Germany, not exactly known. However, it is difficult to interpret otherwise, as the bag.
9. The oldest mattress (77.000 years).
In fact, in 2011 South Africa was found only a small area of a little more than the palm of a piece. The mattress consisted of several layers of grass and bark. He was found in the structure of the earth and grass, which could be interpreted as bed (bed).
10. The oldest mask (9,000 years).
Unfortunately, the place of discovery of the mask is not known. Carved from stone and is suitable to be worn on the face mask originates from the middle East and is now kept in the Museum of the Holy Land in Paris.
10. The oldest lens (3000 years).
In 1850 in the ruins of Nineveh Austin Layard discovered the oldest known lens made of rock crystal. The lens dates from the 8th century BC, имеет125 mm. in diameter and a focal length of 345 mm. Quality focus lenses on the modern level and it can be used as a magnifying glass and even in the telescope. At least some Assyrian documents suggest that they were aware of the rings of Saturn, to the naked eye not visible. (In Assyrian tablets described the Saturn as a deity, surrounded by a ring of snakes).
11. The most ancient dentistry (9000 years old).
The oldest teeth with signs of dental treatment was found in the Indus valley and belongs to the 7th Millennium BC.
12. Oil is the oldest (5000 years).
In Ireland, in a former swamp in a sort of wooden pot was found a mass that was identified as oil. Obviously, people in Northern Europe, knowing that the marshes retain organics, used them not only for the disposal of human bodies (often the bodies of people, judging by the way by repeated mortification, the sacrifice), but also for the storage of food stocks. Such uses of wetlands have been preserved until the late middle ages. But in this case it was about the oldest known sample – 3rd Millennium BC Despite their age (about 5000 years) the oil was still in a sense edible, although the taste is described as terrible.
13. The oldest folding knife (1800 years)
Swiss type refers to the 2 century ad and is kept in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. The knife has 6 items and suitable for carrying in your pocket.
14. The oldest musical recording (3400 years old)
found in Ugarit. The deciphering of the cuneiform tablets of clay by Professor Anne Kilmer (Anne Kilmer) revealed that it shows not only the anthem but also the scale.
15. The oldest prosthetic (3,000 years old)
found in ancient Egyptian sarcophagus together with a mummy. It’s a prosthetic big toe.
