Mesopotamia civilisations lived in small nomadic clans. Shepherding was their main work, flocks of sheep and goats. Farming was very important, producing clothing from the wool and hide of their stock.

The ram was worshipped, Virile/potent. Producing tons of wool, then began to export and trade for jewels/ivory and tortoise shell. Wealth and civilisation grew, rulers and governments were formed.

Mesopotamia clothing was made of wool/animal skins.  Fringing/embroidery were used frequently. Long unkept hair/beards. Buildings were made from sun dried brick clay (perishable). They did not believe in life after death.

Sumerian men wore the “Kaunakes” which was made from wool, wrapped around the waist and bare chest. Hair would be long and beard also.

Bare feet or sandals were worn .Shawls were also worn, wrapped and thrown over one shoulder.

Sumerian women wore wraps/sari type clothing. Bare feet or sandals were worn. Hair would be long and pulled up loosely in a chignon, or pulled up under a felt hat. Embroidery was beginning to become popular and the use of tassels and fringing. They had some of the very finest delicate gold jewellery and tiaras. Sumerian’s wrote on perishable materials, thus the loss of much information. They have been said to have produced the first dictionary, Time (hours /days).

Assyrian, High priest and The Assyrian king, King Assur– nasir-Pal.

Approx 1200 BC, the Assyrians were artistic and fearless, but very cruel and savage. Men and women wore simple tunic/shawl type clothing. Started wearing enclosed footwear, e.g. ankle high boots. Hair/beards were still very long. The tunics were richly decorated.

Hebrew’s were the first to believe in one god. Monotheist religion. Dating around the old testament– religion governed life.

Wool, leather and linen were still used in men and women’s clothing. But as a rule did not blend fibres together.Women would wear shawls and would also cover their head and hair. Transparent fabric clothing was forbidden. Men and women to exchange dress were also forbidden. Fringes/ tassels and stripes were very popular, loved to decorate their clothing. There were different sections/layers to the Hebrew clothing, Inner garment (tunic or shirt), the outer tunic or robe, the girdle, the outer garment/ Mantle and the Headdress.

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