As the prehistoric human creature expanded geographically toward more extreme climates, early man began to use the pelts of other animals for clothing and shelter for protection from the elements and other physical dangers.  With further technological development, skins and hides found additional uses as shoes, armor, or other equipment such as livestock harnesses.  In order for this to be practical, means of retarding or preventing the rapid decomposition of the hide material was necessary.  A variety of treatment processes were developed, with many of them also altering the physical properties of the hides, rendering the leather material harder, stiffer, or more durable than the original hides.  The treatment methods available to early tanners will be discussed, including archeological evidence of these methods and discussion of the chemical changes that occur during these tanning processes.<br/>

The skin they were in:  Leather and tanning in antiquity<br />

249th National Meeting (2015)

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