History of Europe

When did people start using leather in the world?

Leather dates back at least 7,000 years with early evidence originating from Neolithic settlements of Mehrgarh in the Indus Valley civilization, the ancient Greek island of Crete, dating back to before 2700 BCE, as well as Neolithic Swiss lake dwellings; early leather products include water bags, shields, clothing, tents, ropes, harnesses, saddles, footwear, and armour. Archaeological and textual evidence shows leather was widely produced between the Tigris and the Indus valley and processed via animal fats or plant tannins.