Innovation No. 45 of 77 in the book
Wigs and Hair Extensions
Hairpieces shaped and held with beeswax
- When
- c. 2600 BCE
- Dynasty
- 4th Dynasty
- Era
- Old Kingdom
Egyptians were wearing elaborate wigs and adding hair extensions by around 2600 BCE, in the Old Kingdom — the oldest wig industry known.
Real human hair was knotted onto a mesh cap and set with beeswax and resin into precise braids and curls. Some surviving wigs are astonishingly complex, styled strand by strand.
They kept a shaved scalp cool and lice-free under the sun, and signaled rank at a glance — a formal wig for formal occasions.
The wig, and the hair extension, were styled first in Egyptian workshops.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the earliest archaeological evidence for wigs and hair extensions in ancient Egypt?
The earliest confirmed evidence dates to approximately 2600 BCE during Egypt's Old Kingdom (4th Dynasty). Egyptians were wearing elaborate wigs and adding hair extensions by around 2600 BCE, in the Old Kingdom — the oldest wig industry known.
How did ancient Egyptians develop wigs and hair extensions, and what is its legacy?
Real human hair was knotted onto a mesh cap and set with beeswax and resin into precise braids and curls. Some surviving wigs are astonishingly complex, styled strand by strand. Real human hair was knotted onto a mesh cap and set with beeswax and resin into precise braids and curls. Some surviving wigs are astonishingly complex, styled strand by strand. The wig, and the hair extension, were styled first in Egyptian workshops.