Linen: From Ancient Egypt to Today

Introduction

Linen is one of humanity's oldest textiles, with evidence of flax processing dating back 36,000 years. From Egyptian mummy wrappings to modern summer suits, linen's unique properties have kept it relevant across every civilization.

Ancient Egypt: Linen as Sacred Cloth

Egyptian priests wore only linen, considering it pure and sacred. Mummies were wrapped in hundreds of meters of fine linen bandages — some so finely woven they have 100 threads per centimeter.

From Field to Fabric

Linen production is labor-intensive:

• Flax is pulled (not cut) to preserve fiber length
• Retting: stalks rot in water for weeks to loosen fibers
• Scutching: beating to separate fibers from woody core
• Hackling: combing through increasingly fine combs

Modern Linen

Today, the best linen comes from Belgium, France, and the Netherlands, where cool, moist climate produces the longest flax fibers.

Conclusion

Linen's properties — naturally cooling, antibacterial, and biodegradable — make it increasingly relevant in an era of climate consciousness.