So small that they almost went undetected, a collection of 32 prehistoric needle fragments dating back 13,000 years were unearthed in Wyoming between 2015 and 2022. Analysis has revealed that they were made from the limbs and paw bones of small mammals such as red foxes, bobcats, hares, rabbits, and the now extinct American cheetah.

The discovery of the needles, now held at the University of Wyoming, provides strong evidence of the earliest tailored garment production. These garments, warmer and more robust than simple draped fabrics, enabled modern humans to travel to northern latitudes and eventually colonize the Americas.

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