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Which fibres were used for textiles in ancient Egypt?
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textile
An annotated diagram showing how an operator uses a hand wheel, rollers, and spindles on a spinning jenny to draw and twist unspun fiber into thread.
In ancient Egypt, the primary fibre used for textiles was linen, which was derived from the flax plant. Linen was highly valued and has been found in graves dating back to the Neolithic Period.12
While linen was the most common material, other fibres were also utilized in ancient Egyptian textile production, including:
- Wool: Used more rarely than linen, though woolen cloaks were worn by both men and women for warmth.2
- Cotton: Historical evidence indicates that cotton was among the fibres used as textile materials in ancient Egypt.3
- Silk: Silk fibres were also used in ancient Egypt, though sericulture (the raising of silkworms) had not yet extended that far west during the early periods.32
Additionally, Egyptians utilized animal skins and leather—cured through tawing or tanning methods—for items such as footwear, belts, and straps.2