The Eyed Needle: The Evolution of Clothing as a Form of Socialization from the Paleolithic Era to Today

In Madrid, the invention of the needle with an eye marked the beginning of clothing as a form of socialization. This technological innovation allowed for the decoration of clothing for social and cultural purposes, tracing back to the Paleolithic era about 40 thousand years ago. From being merely utilitarian, clothing became an expression of identity and social status.

The eyed needle tools discovered in Paleolithic remains were a significant development because they signify the shift in clothing from purely functional to more social and decorative. The lead author of a study published in Science Advances, Ian Gilligan, explains how this evolution of clothing indicates a transition toward a more layered and ornamented approach to dressing.

The appearance of eyed needles in Siberia 40 thousand years ago was groundbreaking as it enabled the production of more sophisticated clothing adorned with beads and other decorative elements. This transformation from simple awls to more complex and decorative clothing marked an era where clothing served not only for protection but also for social expression and cultural representation.

This revelation about the invention of the eyed needle connects the dots between clothing as a practical need and clothing as a form of social identification and aesthetic expression. The transition of clothing from a physical necessity to a social and aesthetic requirement was crucial in forming larger and more complex societies. Through shared clothing styles and symbols, people in different climates could still cooperate based on a common identity.