In a revolutionary discovery that is rewriting virtually everything we know about history except for the reason for the new TV reality show “Honey Boo Boo,” the University of Innsbruck said Wednesday that archeologists found four linen bras dating from the Middle Ages in an Austrian castle. It was not explained what archeologists were doing rooting around in women’s underwear drawers in an abandoned castle, when they came across the discovery, but, since the owners of the underwear are believed to have been dead for at least 600 years, no charges have been filed.
Fashion experts describe the find as surprising because the bra had commonly been thought to be only little more than 100 years old as women abandoned the tight corset. Instead, it appears the bra came first, followed by the corset, followed by the reinvented bra, which then allowed the birth of Dr 90210.
“This is huge,” said one archeologist, although it was not understood at the time whether he was referring to the bra or the impact of the historic discovery. One specimen in particular “looks exactly like a (modern) brassiere,” says Hilary Davidson, fashion curator for the London Museum. “These are amazing finds.”
The bra, described as having “two broad shoulder straps and a possible back strap, not preserved but indicated by partially torn edges of the cups onto which it was attached.”
Although the linen garments were unearthed in 2008, they did not make news until now says Beatrix Nutz (her actual name,) the University of Innsbruck archaeologist responsible for the discovery. Researching the items and carbon dating them to make sure they were genuine took some time. Nutz delivered a lecture on them last year but the information stayed within academic circles until a recent article in the BBC History Magazine.
Nutz says until now, there has been nothing to indicate the existence of bras with clearly visible cups before the 19th century.
“Medieval written sources are rather vague on the topic of female breast support, sometimes mentioning ‘bags for the breasts’ or ‘shirts with bags’,” Nutz says in a statement on the university’s website. Nutz (this blogger has an affinity for writing Nutz’s name) continued, “Other sources only mention breast-bands to bind down oversized breasts.”
The lingerie was apparently not just functional: The bras were intricately decorated with lace and other ornamentation, suggesting they were also meant to please a suitor.
Also found at Lemberg Castle in Tyrol was a linen undergarment that looks very much like a pair of women’s panties. But, contrary to the find looking exactly like modern G-string panties, they are men’s underwear, as underpants were considered a symbol of male dominance and power. Women did not wear anything under their skirts back then. In a related development, archeologists discovered another cabinet filled with size 12, eight inch stiletto heels and a variety of colorful wigs, evening gowns, and a manuscript containing what is believed to be the first version of the hit song “It’s Raining Men.”
“We are reassessing symbols of medieval male dominance,” one male researcher said. “This discovery could take a lot of time to examine. We are committed to personally researching every single item and exploring all possibilities.” To that end, a small group of males will be researching in the now-cordoned off castle for the foreseeable future.
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notquiteold
July 26, 2012
They better re-check the carbon dating. Most of my bras look like that.
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 27, 2012
I was thinking the same thing about mine!
ryoko861
July 26, 2012
Oh, that’s just nasty!
In 300 years it’ll be interesting to see what bras and panties look like. And what will they think of undergarments of today? That’s if anyone is still around. Remember, we’re all suppose to implode in December.
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 27, 2012
I keep forgetting about the implode thing. Damn, I shouldn’t have paid for two years on my car license.
Hippie Cahier
July 26, 2012
I wonder how long until Victoria’s Secret comes out with a “shirts with bags” line.
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 27, 2012
I can’t even imagine. That actually might not be a bad idea.
tanoshinde
July 26, 2012
‘In a related development, archeologists discovered another cabinet filled with size 12, eight inch stiletto heels and a variety of colorful wigs, evening gowns, and a manuscript containing what is believed to be the first version of the hit song “It’s Raining Men.”’
Didn’t expect this, and almost died laughing when I saw it … good thing I wasn’t drinking anything at the time! 😀
This is actually a really interesting find. I have always suspected that things like bras must have existed earlier than we have long assumed … not that I spend hours of each day contemplating the history of underwear (though it is heartening to know that the halls of academe have room for people who do).
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 27, 2012
Oh, I’m so happy you enjoyed that part. I even gave myself a chuckle when I wrote it. Sometimes I think I’m my own best audience.
Gayane
July 26, 2012
Very interesting post…and Abercrombie & Fitch thought their design ideas were new….but seriously, it makes sense to me that women must have figured this out back then. as for the male speedos, women must have designed those too…all those guys walking around in tights……:)
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 27, 2012
It always seems that whatever we think is new isn’t. We’ll probably find that people had iPhones thousands of years ago.
Melanie
July 26, 2012
Bags for the breasts. And found in Austria, not in France?! Somewhere, a French historian is weeping. Sacre bleu! Thanks for the chuckle today!
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 27, 2012
Truly.
pegoleg
July 26, 2012
I read up to the point where you mentioned the new reality show “Honey Boo Boo” and I couldn’t get past it. As a secret, shameful watcher of Toddlers & Tiaras I saw the episode that little hillbilly-child and her family were on. I never, in my wildest nightmares, imagined they would get their own TV show.
America has now officially gone to hell in a hand-basket.
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 27, 2012
Peg, if you lived near me, I would suggest coffee/lunch/dinner right now so we could discuss T/T. I am a huge fan. I tell myself it’s morbid curiosity, but I will admit (only to you) that sometimes I get sucked into the whole process and start rooting for the kids who have the best fake nails and hairpieces. It is like watching an alien civilization. I can’t tear myself away. And that Honey Boo Boo mom. She is like a made up creature. She and HBB were on a TV show. OK, I’m stopping now. I’m out of control.
suburbansusan
July 26, 2012
I heard they also found an original copy of 50 Shades of Gray (entitled 50 Shades of Bags back then) along with the eight inch stiletto heels and wigs.
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 27, 2012
Good one!
Meryl Baer
July 26, 2012
Great post – I wasn’t sure if it was humorous, satirical, true or all of the above. So the idea of nothing between a woman’s jeans (or whatever) and her skin is not new. Interesting…
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 27, 2012
I don’t now what it was either. I start with something real, and then my brain just does its own thing.
Kathryn McCullough
July 27, 2012
I’m with notquiteold. Some of my bras look about that bad. Glad though to know that no charges were filed against the bra-vado of those looting archeologists!
Hugs,
Kathy
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 27, 2012
I’ll bet they are all walking around now with vintage underwear.
Snoring Dog Studio
July 27, 2012
But unfortunately, some dimwit in a later century decided that it would be just brilliant to add some underwire to the bras. And then women were truly subjugated (and in constant discomfort).
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 27, 2012
Seriously. I do usually wear underwires, but I bought one of those non-wire bras and now I keep wearing it instead of my others.
Audubon Ron
July 28, 2012
I love King Tut underwear exhibits.
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 28, 2012
Whoa, I have been missing something, here. All I saw was a lot of jewelry.
The Chaos I Call My Mind
August 10, 2012
Reblogged this on thechaosicallmymind.