Head Shaving for Lice Prevention Contributes to Earliest Use of Wigs - Schooltime Products Lice Learning Center
Head Shaving for Lice Prevention Contributes to Earliest Use of Wigs - Schooltime Products Lice Learning Center

Head Shaving for Lice Prevention Contributes
to Earliest Wig Use

Earliest Archaeological Evidence Shows Wigs Used as early as 3400 BC in Egypt

Head Shaving for Lice Prevention Contributes to Earliest Wig Use

Earliest Archaeological Evidence Shows Wigs Used as early as 3400 BC in Egypt

Wigs were an integral part of ancient Egyptian culture, reflecting both practical needs and social structures. They were not just about beauty or vanity but also about status, hygiene, and religious significance. Wigs in ancient Egypt have a fascinating history and served multiple purposes. While direct evidence of head shaving for lice control before 1550 BC is lacking, it’s reasonable to infer that similar motivations could have existed as early as 3400 BC. The use of wigs to protect shaved heads from the sun suggests that head shaving was already a common practice, possibly for hygiene reasons, including lice control. While we can’t definitively prove that head shaving for lice control dates back to 3400 BC, the use of wigs during that time can be seen as indirect evidence supporting this theory. The motivations for head shaving likely included both practical and hygienic reasons, similar to those documented in later periods.

First Evidence of Wigs in Ancient Egypt

The earliest known evidence of wigs in ancient Egypt dates back to around 3400 BC. This evidence includes hair extensions found in a female burial at Hierakonpolis [16].

Reasons for Wearing Wigs

Wigs were an integral part of ancient Egyptian culture, reflecting both practical needs and social structures. Their use and significance evolved over time, but they remained an essential aspect of daily life for many Egyptians.

  • Practicality, Hygiene, Cleanliness: The initial motivation for wearing wigs in ancient Egypt was primarily practical. The hot desert climate made managing natural hair difficult, so Egyptians shaved their heads to stay cool and avoid lice. However, a bald head wasn’t considered fashionable, so wigs were used to cover the shaved heads and protect them from the sun [18]. Wigs also served as a way to maintain cleanliness and hygiene [15]. The fact that wigs were used to protect shaved heads from the sun implies that head shaving was prevalent. This practice could have been driven by the need to stay cool and maintain hygiene in the hot climate. Given the emphasis on cleanliness in ancient Egyptian culture, it’s plausible that head shaving was also a method to prevent lice infestations, even if direct evidence from that period is not available.
  • Religious and Ceremonial Use: Certain wigs were worn for religious ceremonies to show reverence to the gods [3].
  • Fashion, Beauty, and Vanity: Wigs became a fashion statement, with elaborate styles and decorations to enhance beauty [17].
  • Social Status: Wigs indicated social hierarchy, with more elaborate wigs signifying higher status, signifying their position in society [3][17].

Who Wore Wigs?

  • Wigs were predominantly worn by the elite, including pharaohs, queens, nobility, and priests [3].
  • Both men and women wore wigs, and they were often depicted in tomb chapels and other iconography [2].
  • The wigs worn by the upper class were made of human hair and sometimes even adorned with gold and beads [1].
The oldest known sentence written in the first alphabet was discovered on an ancient ivory lice comb, dated to about 3,700 years ago, unearthed at an Israeli archaeological site called Lachish - Schooltime Products Lice History Articles

Photo Credit: Dafna Gazit, Israel Antiquities Authority

The oldest known sentence written in the first alphabet was discovered on an ancient ivory comb, dated to about 3,700 years ago.

The comb was unearthed in 2016 from an Israeli archaeological site called Lachish. However, the minuscule one- to three-millimeter letters were overlooked until 2021, when research associate Madeleine Mumcuoglu at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem noticed the sentence while zooming in on a photo of the comb.

Age and Gender

  • Men and Women: Both genders wore wigs, although the styles varied. Men typically wore shorter wigs, while women wore longer ones that often fell below the shoulders [2]³.
  • Children: Children generally did not wear wigs. Boys had their heads shaved, and girls often braided their hair or wore pigtails [4].

How Did Egyptian Wigs Deter Lice?

Egyptian wigs helped deter lice by providing a barrier between the scalp and the environment. By shaving their heads and wearing wigs, Egyptians reduced the chances of lice infestation, as lice had fewer places to hide and lay eggs [6].

Earliest Evidence of Head Shaving for Lice

The earliest documented evidence of head shaving for lice dates back to around 1550 BC, as mentioned in the Ebers Papyrus [5]. There is no concrete evidence that head shaving for lice dates back to 3400 BC. However, the practice of shaving heads for hygiene and comfort in the hot climate might have been prevalent even earlier [6].

Materials for Wigs for the Lower Classes

While the elite wore wigs made of human hair, the lower classes used more accessible materials such as: Linen, Sheep’s wool, Animal hair, and Palm fibers. These materials were often stiffened with beeswax to create the desired shape and texture [7][9].

Why Baldness Was Looked Down Upon

In ancient Egypt, smooth and clean bodies were indeed signs of youth and vigor, yet baldness was often looked down upon because hair was considered a symbol of youth, vitality, and social status. A full head of hair was associated with beauty and health, and being bald could be seen as a sign of aging or illness [11]. Additionally, appearing well-groomed was important in Egyptian society, and baldness was sometimes viewed as unkempt [10].

As a result, a bald head was often covered by a wig if possible. Wigs were not only a fashion statement but also a practical solution to protect the scalp from the sun and maintain hygiene [8]. Baldness was generally looked down upon, and various remedies were used to promote hair growth.

Demand for Hair Growth Products

Despite the emphasis on removing body hair for cleanliness and aesthetics, and this early use of wigs to cover the baldness caused by head shaving for lice prevention, there was also a significant demand for hair remedies to combat baldness, including chopped lettuce, ground-up hedgehog spines, and other concoctions [12]. These remedies reflect the cultural importance placed on hair and the lengths to which people would go to maintain it. This demand can be attributed to several factors:

  • Social Status: Hair was a marker of social status, and having a full head of hair was desirable for maintaining one’s position in society [11].
  • Beauty Standards: Hair was considered an essential part of beauty, and people sought to enhance their appearance by promoting hair growth [13].
  • Religious Beliefs: Hair was sometimes associated with religious rituals and beliefs, and maintaining a full head of hair could be seen as a way to honor the gods [14].

Video Credit: Propaganda War, The Fascinating History of Wigs in Ancient Egypt!

Historic Origins of Head Shaving for Head Lice Prevention - What has Head Shaving for Head Lice Lead to Through History to Today? - Schooltime Products Lice Learning Center
Historic Origins of Head Shaving for Head Lice Prevention - What has Head Shaving for Head Lice Lead to Through History to Today? - Schooltime Products Lice Learning Center

Photo Credit: Canva

Historic Origins of Head Shaving for Head Lice Prevention

Historically, head shaving for lice prevention and control dates back to ancient Egypt around 1550 B.C. Priests were encouraged to shave their heads to prevent lice from having a place to live. Similarly, by 450 B.C., Egyptians recommended shaving the entire body to eradicate lice. This method was effective because lice need hair to attach their eggs (nits) and to move around. Without hair, lice have a much harder time surviving and reproducing. Besides the obvious benefit of lice control, both men and women in ancient Egypt valued smooth, hairless bodies as a sign of youth and vigor; hair removal was seen as a sign of cleanliness and social status.

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