16 Remarkable Examples Of Longevity In Everyday Objects

We compiled a list of ancient everyday items to appreciate our current comforts.

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• March 10, 2024

In the contemporary era, we find ourselves immersed in a plethora of unprecedented technological advancements, yet a substantial portion of the items we incorporate into our daily lives boasts a rich history dating back centuries. While our ancestors from antiquity may not have had access to the intricacies of modern communication, such as texting or the art of selfie-taking, they reveled in the simplicity and functionality of everyday essentials that continue to resonate with us today.

Among these timeless artifacts are the ingenious contrivances of flushable toilets, the delightful indulgence of chewing gum, and the practical elegance embodied in finely crafted purses. In an earnest attempt to cultivate an appreciation for the comforts of contemporary living, we have meticulously compiled an extensive catalog documenting the oldest known instances of these ubiquitous objects.

It is important to note that the artifacts delineated in this inventory represent merely the earliest surviving specimens; the origins of these items likely extend even further back in time, with the potential existence of rudimentary forms awaiting discovery through ongoing archaeological investigations.

Through this exploration of historical artifacts, we are afforded a profound opportunity to reflect on the ingenuity and resourcefulness of our forebears, whose innovations continue to shape and enrich our lives today.

1. 3000-year-old ancient prosthetic.

"This 3,000-year-old prosthetic was used to help someone in Egypt walk again. Tests carried out with a replica proved that it was a working, practical prosthetic, not just a cosmetic one."

2. 800-year-old sunglasses discovered.

"The world’s oldest sunglasses were discovered on Baffin Island in Canada. They were snow goggles, designed to reduce the sun’s glare reflecting from the snow."

3. The world's oldest condom, dating back 370 years, was discovered.

"This sheepskin condom was used in 1640 in Sweden. The reusable condom came with instructions (in Latin) to clean it with warm milk to prevent users from catching STDs."

4. 510-year-old globe, oldest known.

"This old globe was painstakingly etched into the surface of an ostrich egg in Italy. Before its age and origin were verified, it had been sold to its current owner at a map fair in London in 2012."

5. 5,000-year-old recipe, oldest known in writing.

“A Sumerian Beer recipe dating back to 3000 BC. The resulting beer is very strong and would contain chunks of bread floating around in it.”

6. 500-year-old brassiere discovered.

"This bra was used between 1390 and 1485 in Austria. Earlier historical descriptions for “breast bags” do exist, but they had never been seen."

7. 1500-year-old socks.

"These Egyptian wool socks, designed to go with sandals, were knitted between 300 and 499 AD and found in the 19th century."

8. 2,700-year-old ancient coin

"The oldest known coin was found in the ancient Hellenic city of Efesos in Turkey. Its one (and only) decorated side features a lion’s head."

9. The world's oldest known musical instrument, dating back 40,000 years.

"This 40,000-year-old vulture-bone flute was found in southern Germany. Some scientists believe that music may have given our ancestors a strategic advantage over Neanderthals."

10. 2,000-year-old flush toilets discovered.

"Ephesus, an ancient city in Turkey, had “flushing” toilets. Running water below the seats carried waste away into a nearby river."

11. A 3,400-year-old melody, the oldest recorded.

"The oldest surviving written melody was found in Ugarit, which is now part of Northern Syria. The music was written for the lyre."

12. The oldest human sculpture dates back 35,000 to 40,000 years.

"At 35,000-40,000 years old, the Venus of Hohle is the oldest statue depicting a human figure. This mammoth-ivory figurine was found in Germany."

13. 3,300-Year-Old Pants Unearthed

"The oldest pair of pants in the world is 3,300 years old, and it was found in Western China."

14. The world's oldest shoe, dating back 5,500 years, was discovered.

"This 5,500-year-old cowhide moccasin was found in a cave in Armenia, preserved by grass and dry sheep dung. The left shoe was not found."

15. 5,000-year-old chewing gum discovered.

"This chewing gum from Finland was chewed at least 5,000 years ago. The gum consists of birch bark, and was most likely used to heal mouth infections or to use as glue."

16. 4,500-year-old ancient purse discovered.

"These dog teeth are all that remain of a disintegrated purse from roughly 4,500 years ago found in Germany. They were likely part of the outer flap."

Looking at old stuff like toilets and purses from way back when helps us see how smart people were even back then. It's pretty cool to realize that things we use every day have been around for ages. Even though we've got fancy gadgets now, it's nice to remember where they came from. We can see that people way back then had similar needs and wants to us.

It helps us see that some things never really change, no matter how much time goes by.

Damjan