A group of archaeologists have chanced upon a remarkable discovery of women undergarments, which could re-write the history of women's clothing. Archaeologists found four linen bras Wednesday dating back to the Middle Ages in an Austrian castle.
The University of Innsbruck's discovery of these ancient undergarments stand to rewrite history, since fashion industry experts commonly believe the bra has been around a little more than a hundred years.
The report clears the air that the bra came into existence first rather than the corset which women used to wear 80-100 years ago.
One specimen in particular "looks exactly like a (modern) brassiere," said Hilary Davidson, fashion curator for the London Museum. "These are amazing finds."
Beatrix Nutz, the archaeologist responsible for the discovery said that the linen garments were unearthed in 2008 and did not make any big news until they were carbon-dated and their age was proved.
"Up to now, there was nothing to indicate the existence of bras with clearly visible cups before the 19th century," she said.
Nutz, a researcher at the University of Innsbruck, delivered a lecture discussing this ancient clothing style last year but the information was not revealed because tests had not been completed. The article has been published by the BBC History Magazine recently.
"We didn't believe it ourselves," she said in a telephone call from the Tyrolean city of Innsbruck. "From what we knew, there was no such thing as bra-like garments in the 15th century."
The university also said that the bras were among more than 2,700 textile remains -- some linen, others linen combined with cotton -- that were found during the research intermixed with dirt, wood, straw and pieces of leather.
"Four linen textiles resemble modern-time bras with distinct cups and one in particular looks like today's version," the article said, with "two broad shoulder straps and a possible back strap, not preserved but indicated by partially torn edges of the cups onto which it was attached."
The bras were decorated with laces and other artistic work, showing that it was not only worn as an item of utility, but also probably for decorative purposes.
Davidson, the fashion curator, described the finds as "kind of a missing link" in the history of women's underwear as it has never been mentioned, nor do paintings depict what women wore beneath their gowns in the earlier times.
Women started experimenting and realizing the importance of the bra only after New York socialite Mary Phelps Jacob invented it in the early 19th century, after being unhappy with the look of her gown over a stiff corset.
Archaeologists also found linen undergarments at the Lemberg Castle in Tyrol that looks very much similar to a pair of panties, but Nutz said it is men's underwear - women did not wear anything under their flowing skirts back then.
"Underpants were considered a symbol of male dominance and power," she said.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
