We do not know exactly when people first made shoes. Early footwear could have been made from plant fibers, hides or other materials that rarely survive for thousands of years. The archaeological record offers examples of old footwear, not a complete record of every pair ever made.
The Fort Rock sandals
In Oregon, archaeologists found woven sandals preserved in and around Fort Rock Cave. According to the Oregon Encyclopedia, dated Fort Rock sandals span roughly 10,400 to 9,100 years ago and were made using sagebrush bark. They are among the oldest directly dated surviving footwear.
The account of Fort Rock Cave describes sandals in different sizes, some showing wear. These objects offer evidence of particular shoes and their makers; they do not mean footwear began at this place or on one known date.
Why the evidence is incomplete
Organic materials usually decay. Unusually dry or otherwise protective conditions can preserve an object, while many other examples disappear. A surviving sandal tells us what was made at a particular time and place, but older forms may have existed without leaving a recognizable trace.
Archaeologists may study other kinds of evidence as well as complete shoes. Interpretations can change with new discoveries and dating methods, so a claim about the “first shoe” deserves careful attention to the evidence behind it.
Different materials, different needs
Foot coverings could help protect against surfaces or weather, but we should be cautious about telling a single story of why all early shoes were made. Materials available locally, traditions and individual needs could shape design. A woven sandal and a leather shoe do not tell the same story simply because both cover a foot.
Following footwear through history
Later surviving examples reveal other materials, shapes and uses. Our medieval footwear article examines European shoes and explains why historians compare objects with pictures and other records.
The Renaissance footwear guide looks at changing shapes and a Venetian platform example. For today’s terminology, see the guide to shoe parts.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Fort Rock sandals the first shoes ever made? They are very old directly dated surviving examples, but they cannot establish when or where footwear was first invented.
What were they made from? The Oregon Encyclopedia identifies sagebrush bark among the materials used.
Why do dates change? New finds and improved dating can change the evidence available to researchers.
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