Austria Claims To Have Invented Tartan Kilts

Ananova ^ | 2-1-2004

[blam]

Austria claims to have invented tartan kilts

Tartan kilts have become fashionable in Austria after archaeologists claimed the country invented them.

Many Austrian stores are now selling "traditional Austrian" kilts and sporrans as well as lederhosen.

The Austrian claim is based on the discovery of what they claim is the oldest piece of tartan in the world.

The host of the Austrian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire is the latest convert to the trend. Armin Assinger turned up at the studio wearing one of the Carinthian kilts.

Thomas Rettl, whose clothing company is based close to where scraps from the original Celtic kilt were found, said: "Ever since we found out that Austria was the true home to tartan we have been doing a roaring trade.

"It was found not in Scotland but in a place called Molzbichl in Carinthia in Austria. The Celts who conquered

Scotland originally came from Europe, which would back our claim to have had the kilt first.

"The tartan sample found in Austria was dated to at least 320 years BC - over 1,600 years earlier than the oldest Scottish tartan which was made in 1,300 AD."

Mr Rettl said armed with the knowledge that the kilt was actually Austria's traditional costume, he and his fellow Austrian tailors had decided to make a kilt and since then many others had copied the trend.

"We worked with a Scottish firm in the Borders to get the necessary expertise but the kilt is an Austrian design and we use the best materials from around the world - our kilts are better quality than many in Scotland.

"The success of the Carinthian kilt in particular has surprised even me. I am hoping to sell more in Scotland as well and in recognition of our shared Celtic past with the Scots I am making a deer leather kilt - a mixture of a tartan cloth and a pair of lederhosen."

The Scottish Tartans Authority says it's not in the least bit surprising that traces of tartan were found in Austria.

Brian Wilton said the oldest tartan authenticated was found in China 500 years before the time of Tutankhanum.

Story filed: 10:50 Tuesday 27th January 2004

[blam]

The Curse Of The Red-Headed Mummies

The Tocharians found in the Tarim Basin of China had tartan and pants in 2,000BC...4,000 miles and 1,000 years older than those found at Halstadt, Austria

Pants were invented by the Tocharians after the domestication of the horse, the oldest known pants are dated to this group.

[blam]

A good book on this subject is The Mummies Of Urumchi by Elizabeth Barber, a fabrics expert.

A very good book.

[curmudgeonII]

The kilt, I believe, was created by Hans MacSchwartzkopf.

[CasearianDaoist]

Someone should notify the European Council straightaway.

[CobaltBlue]

It's been a while since I read Barber's book, but didn't she reference older textiles with a similar weave (twill) from somewhere in the Middle East, IIRC Anatolia? But the color of the cloth wasn't plaid.

[the invisib1e hand]

Austria claims to have invented tartan kilts

oh great!. yet another claimant to that invention. the lawyers are going to be the only winners in this fight!

[xp38]

And MacSchwarzenegger wasn't far behind.

[blam]

"It's been a while since I read Barber's book, but didn't she reference older textiles with a similar weave (twill) from somewhere in the Middle East, IIRC Anatolia? But the color of the cloth wasn't plaid."

She compared them directly to the Celtic fabrics found at Halstadt. They are exactly like those at Haldstat, material, mfg technique, color, weave style and etc...1,000 years and 4,000 miles apart.

I think all the Caucasian folks out in that region were refugees from the Black Sea flood (Noah's Flood?) in 5,600BC.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Austria claims to have invented tartan kilts

Well I don't know about all Austrian's, but those around Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck drink a lot!

[blam]

5,300 year old Otzi (The Ice Man) wasn't wearing tartan. (He was found in the Alps)

[fini]

"Austria claims to have invented tartan kilts"

I think they just want to look like girls.

[CobaltBlue]

Ötzi doesn't look Celtic to me. Definitely Germanic.

[DUMBGRUNT]

HISTORY OF HIGHLAND DRESS - MAINLY THE KILT

http://www.scottish-history.com/kilt.shtml

This form of dress may have existed earlier, but there is no sign of it before 1725. It is a severe shock to many people to find that the "little kilt's originator may well have been an Englishman, one Rawlinson, who was employed as the manager of an iron smelting works in Lochaber who adapted it, to allow more freedom of movement for his workers. (Probably so they could work faster being the concerned English they were). Be that as it may, it is this form of garment which is now firmly taken as being the kilt.

[expatpat]

It's not unreasonable. The Celts that settled Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and NW France probably came from Switzerland and Austria when they were pushed out by invading hordes from the SE.

[Maria S]

I was kind of hoping this would tell what was worn UNDER the kilt.

[CobaltBlue]

As my husband says, "Nothing worn under the kilt, ma'am! Everything in excellent condition!"

[Eala]

I was kind of hoping this would tell what was worn UNDER the kilt.

Shoes.

[farmfriend]

Gods, Graves, Glyphs
List for articles regarding early civilizations , life of all forms, - dinosaurs - etc.

Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this ping list.

[nopardons]

Hmmmmmmmmmm....

[Modernman]

I think they just want to look like girls.

If you ever go to Scotland, I would recommend against saying this to any kilt-wearing men you encounter .