World's Oldest Pair of Pants Found

Archaeologists working at an ancient graveyard in western China have unearthed what they say is the oldest pair of pants ever found, reports Science News. In fact, they found two pairs, and the clothing items are not only functional but relatively stylish. The wool pants were found with the remains of two men, each about 40, who lived as many as 3,300 years ago and likely rode horses long distances, based on the riding gear that was placed in the tomb.

These particular pants look to be custom-made, suggesting that people had been practicing the art of pants-making for a while, notes Phys.org. "Rather than the modern method of cutting down large pieces of fabric, the early pants were woven on a loom in precisely-sized segments to form the final garment, like nomad couture," explains Time. They even feature decorative cross-stitching. The find bolsters the theory that pants first came into being not too long after horse-riding did—an estimated 4,000 years ago. (How to extend the life of your pants? Stop washing them.)