Museum Entrance Mesopotamia Egypt Greece China Welcome to the Museum of Ancient Civilizations Rome

Room 1 Return to Entry Artifact 1 Artifact 2Mesopotamia Artifact 3

Room 2 Return to EntryEgypt

Room 3 Return to Entry Artifact 10China

Room 4 Return to EntryGreece

Room 5 Return to EntryRome

The clothing in ancient Mesopotamia usually had borders and basic patterns. The wealthy wore brighter and more elaborate colors than the lower class and slaves. The edges of the clothing was occasionally fringe. Thicker material was worn in the winter for warmth. Return to Exhibit Artifact 1

In Mesopotamia materials such as flax and wool were used to make the clothing. The picture shows the material flax. Flax was grown and harvested in Mesopotamia. After it was harvested it was cleaned and combed. Then created the flax they used for clothing. Wool was obtained from domesticated sheep. Return to Exhibit Artifact 2

In Mesopotamia the women often wore long gown. Fringed shawls were very common for warmth and fashion.These gowns sometimes had one shoulder covered and one shoulder uncovered. Although later fashion changed and women sometimes wore two straps connecting from the shoulder to the neckline of the dress creating a V-neck like neck line. Return to Exhibit Artifact 3

Men in ancient Mesopotamia often wore skirt like garments. These garments wear tied at the waist and reached to about knee length. They sometimes had trimming or fringe at the bottom. Embroidery was also common. Wealthier men also wore robe like garments with bright colors and simple patterns. Return to Exhibit Artifact 4

In ancient Egypt, the men of the lower class wore kilts, a skirt like garment with a sash tied at the waist. As the time periods changed the length of the kilt changed. When doing hard work a loincloth was worn. A long shirt like garment tied with a sash at the waist was also sometimes worn. Sandals made of papyrus were worn to help protect their feet while working. Return to Exhibit Artifact 5

The women of the working class in ancient Egypt wore long gowns. The gowns were made of fabric that was wrapped around them and tied. The gowns had one or two thick straps. They wrapped cloaks around them to keep them warm at night. The fabric was made of linen and very light to deal with the hot climate. They used very little decoration other than a small amount of pleating. Return to Exhibit Artifact 6

The women of the upper class in ancient Egypt wore long gowns. The gowns were made of linen. The dresses were generally white because it represented purity but still had colorful decoration on it. They sometimes had long, colorful sashes knotted at the waist. The gowns were decorated with bright colors and elaborate designs. The clothing was often pleated. The pleating was made by pressing the fabric onto a grooved wood boards creating pleats in the fabric. Multicolored jewels and beads were implanted in the gowns to show riches. Return to Exhibit Artifact 7

The men of the upper class wore kilts. These kilts had bright multicolored belts. Pleated colorful capes were also worn. The kilts were decorated with patterns, embroidery, and borders. Jewels were woven into the fabric for decoration. Long tunics were worn. They were decorated similarly to the kilts. Return to Exhibit Artifact 8

The upper class women of ancient China wore long tunics down to there feet. The tunics were made if silk. The silk was made of the cocoons that the silkworms made. The occasionally wore a cloak wrapped around their upper body. They wore silk ribbons around their waists. Bright colors and patterns were worn. Return to Exhibit Artifact 9

The men of the lower class in ancient China wore short tunics and loose fitting pants. The tunics went down to their knees. The materials were made of hemp. Hemp was a rough material made from plant fibers. In later times cotton was used for the poor because it was cheaper, warmer, and softer than hemp. During some dynasties the poor were only allowed to wear particular colors. Such as in the Sui dynasty when the lower class could only wear blue or black. Return to Exhibit Artifact 10

The lower class women wore long tunics that reached to their feet. They also wore long colored sashes that were knotted at their waist. The fabric was dyed certain colors but only the colors that were allowed by the emperors. Return to Exhibit Artifact 11

The upper class men wore long robes. They were made of silk and were very colorful. They had bright colors. There were rules on the colors that applied to the upper class too. One rule was that only the emperor was allowed to wear yellow. The clothing also had many designs and borders. A dragon was a common design among the upper class Return to Exhibit Artifact 12

In ancient Greece the lower class women wore a long tunic called a peplos. The ancient Greek made a peplos by taking rectangular fabric and fastening them at the shoulders and sides. The peplos was commonly worn with a soft belt around the waist. Their clothing was made for function. Not much color or pattern was on the peplos. Their clothing was spun at home and made from wool. A cloak was also sometimes worn for warmth. Return to Exhibit Artifact 13

The lower class men wore a knee length tunic called a chiton. A chiton was a tunic that was made from a lighter type of linen. The chiton could be draped over one or two shoulders. In winter wool was used because it was thicker and warmer. Cloaks were also worn in winter. If you were a Greek in the lower class your clothing was made at home by women or slaves. Return to Exhibit Artifact 14

The upper class men also wore chitons. Their chitons were bleached bright white with a small amount of color. The more wealthy wore more colors. They got the clothing from agora. The agora was the marketplace in ancient Greece. The upper class also wore cloaks for colder weather. Return to Exhibit Artifact 15

The upper class women wore long peplos. The clothes were bleached white but sometimes had bright geometric designs to represent their city-states. The peplos were loose-fitting and often overlapping other fabrics. The women sometimes wore pins or brooches on their clothing. Return to Exhibit Artifact 16

Patrician women in ancient Rome wore mainly a stola and a palla. The stola was a long tunic reaching to the floor. A stola was generally worn over another tunic. The stola was often shorter than the tunic underneath to show the different layers. The layers of clothing represented wealth. A palla was a draped cloak. The size of the palla greatly varied. Many colors and patterns were on the clothing. Return to Exhibit Artifact 17

The patrician men generally wore a tunic and a toga. The tunic was made of white wool or expensive linen. The tunic was used as a garment or a undergarment. Togas were used to signify someone's title. The toga was not sewn or pinned but draped over the body. Return to Exhibit Artifact 18

The plebeian man wore a toga or a tunic. Only citizens could wear togas and for public events the plebeians were told what color toga to wear. The tunic was commonly plain and belted at the waist. The tunic could also be worn under a cloak for more warmth. Return to Exhibit Artifact 19

The plebeian woman usually wore a tunic. The tunic reached down to their feet. It sometimes had a cloak or a stola over the tunic. Some of the tunics had long sleeves fastened on the shoulder with a clasp. Little color was worn. The tunic was made from linen or wool. Return to Exhibit Artifact 20

The women of the Indus valley colorful robes. Most of their clothing was draped not fastened or sewn. They were brightly colored. The robes were decorated with beads, braids, and if they could afford it gold and precious stones. Their clothes were made of cotton from domesticated sheep. Return to Entrance Artifact 22

The men in the Indus Valley tunics and loincloth. The wealthy men wore the tunics. The tunics were brightly colored and decorated with patterns, beads, bands, and precious stones. The slaves and workmen wore loincloth. Both types of clothing was made from cotton. Return to Entrance Artifact 23