Natural Fibers:

HISTORY:

UsedduringtheStoneAge,linenis the oldest textile in the world and predates cotton and wool. It was first cultivated in Mesopotamia around 5000 to 6000 BC. It was traded by the ancient Egyptians, who cultivated a sophisticated linenindustry,thatwassocoveted itwasusedasaformofcurrency. Linen was seen as a symbol of wealth and was often used as shrouds for Pharaohs. In ancient Greece, it was used by soldiers as protective gear and in the medieval ages, Knights used it underchainmailasanextralayer ofprotectionagainstarrows.Since itisasymbolofpurity,itisstillused formakingreligiousvestments.

It was used for ruffs, embroidery, fine needle, and bobbin lace work. As well as making paper, binding books and for canvases. From the Renaissance to the 19th century, in Europe, linen was associatedwithwell,somuch so that a gentleman’s status was judged by his linen. A majorexporteratthetimewas Ireland, in fact Belfast was knownasLinenopolis.