16 Oldest Surviving Examples of Ordinary Things We Use Everyday

Oldest “Flush” Toilets (2,000 years old)

Built in the city of Ephesus during the 1st Century, these toilets would have constantly flowing water beneath them to carry away waste. Going to the toilet was rather social activity since eminent philosophers exchanged  ideas and thesis while “doing the business.”

Oldest Brassiere (500 years old)

This bra was used between 1390 and 1485 in Austria. Earlier historical descriptions for “breast bags” do exist, but they had never been seen. (Image credits: theatlantic.com)

Oldest Chewing Gum (5,000 years old)

This chewing gum from Finland was chewed at least 5,000 years ago. The gum consists of birch bark, and was most likely used to heal mouth infections or to use as glue. (Image credits: metro.co.uk)

Oldest Coin (2,700 years old)

The oldest known coin was found in the ancient Hellenic city of Efesos in Turkey. Its one (and only) decorated side features a lion’s head. (Image credits: fleur-de-coin.com)

Oldest Globe (510 years old)

This old globe was painstakingly etched into the surface of an ostrich egg in Italy. Before its age and origin were verified, it had been sold to its current owner at a map fair in London in 2012

Oldest Instrument (40,000 years old)

A vulture-bone flute dating back 35,000 years, also discovered in Germany.

Oldest Pants (3,300 years old)

The oldest pair of pants in the world is 3,300 years old, and it was found in Western China. (Image credits: M Wagner/German Archaeological Institute)

Oldest Prosthetic (3,000 years old)

Another Egyptian find, this prosthetic toe made from leather and wood was found on a female mummy dating back to 950 BC.

Oldest Purse (4,500 years old)

These dog teeth are all that remain of a disintegrated purse from roughly 4,500 years ago found in Germany. They were likely part of the outer flap.

Oldest Sculpture Of A Human Form (35,000 – 40,000 years old)

At 35,000-40,000 years old, Venus of Hohle is the oldest statue depicting a human figure. This mammoth-ivory figurine was found in Germany.

Oldest Shoe (5,500 years old)

5,500 years old and found in Armenia, it’s made from a single piece of oiled cow leather and bound with leather laces. The other shoe wasn’t found.

Oldest Sunglasses (800 years old)

The world’s oldest sunglasses were discovered on Baffin Island in Canada. They were snow goggles, designed to reduce the sun’s glare reflecting from the snow.

Oldest Written Recipe (5,000 years old)

A Sumerian Beer recipe dating back to 3000 BC. The result beer is very strong and would contain chunks of bread floating around in it.

The Oldest Recorded Melody (3,400 years old)

The oldest surviving written melody was found in Ugarit, which is now part of Northern Syria. The music was written for the lyre. (Image credits: ancientlyre.com)

Sandals Socks

Made for wearing with sandals back in 400 AD.