Tartan's Checkered Past Investigated

[Lionel]

Austria's growing movement to lay claim to the invention of tartan holds more weight than a hefty kilt, according to a recent Discovery News investigation that determined tartan likely did originate in the land of Lederhosen, instead of in Scotland. For the past thirty years, archaeologists have unearthed evidence of ancient tartan in Austria. The country's recent interest in the checkered design, however, is due to one particular find, a remnant of an early Celtic kilt, and some clever public relations by Thomas Rettl, a clothing manufacturer whose business is located near the ancient kilt site. "It was found not in Scotland but in a place called Molzbichl in Carinthia in Austria," Rettl told the European news service Ananova. "The tartan sample found in Austria was dated to at least 320 years B.C. — over 1,600 years earlier than the oldest Scottish tartan, which was made in 1300 A.D.Brian Wilton, administrator of the Scottish Tartans Authority, was not certain about the 320 B.C. sample, but he said even earlier dates have been attributed to Austrian tartan.

"I'm not sure what particular piece of tartan Thomas is referring to, but some of the first pieces were found in the old salt mines of Halstatt near Salzburg, and those were dated between 1200 and 400 B.C.," Wilton said.

View: Full Article | Source: Discovery Channel

[geeohn]

interesting, but clothing is universal like like today. why be so catty with fashion.