In the midst of Yemen's ongoing turmoil, female artisans continue to uphold centuries-old leather crafting traditions, preserving the nation's rich cultural heritage and creating unique handmade products that reflect Yemen's history.

Yemen's leather craftswomen working to preserve the country’s cultural heritage

Yemen's leather craftswomen play crucial role in preserving the country’s cultural heritage

Researchers have discovered scraps of leather from Scythian burial sites spread across southern Ukraine. While analysing those scraps, they found that some of the samples from quivers actually had a human origin. 
 
"Our results demonstrate that Scythians primarily used domesticated species such as sheep, goat, cattle, and horse for the production of leather, while the furs were made of wild animals such as fox, squirrel and feline species," said a team of archaeologists, headed by Luise Orsted Brandt of the University of Copenhagen, Science Alert reported. 
 
"The surprise discovery is the presence of two human skin samples, which for the first time provide direct evidence of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus' claim that Scythians used the skin of their dead enemies to manufacture leather trophy items,” he added.

<h2>Scythian warriors used skin of foe</h2>

As per ancient Greek historian Herodotus, the ferocious Scythian warriors&nbsp;were bloodthirsty and terrifying people who used the skin of slain corpses of foes. He describes their hides were tanned into leather and used in covering quivers which contained Scythian arrows. 
 
The Scythians have remained as mysterious people, who were famous for their warlike, nomadic lifestyle and ruled the Eurasian steppe between the time period of 700 BCE and 300 BCE. 
 
An entire book was devoted by Herodotus in documenting the Scythians, which includes their customs and history. In one of the chapters, he spoke about how the enemies were decapitated by the Scythian warriors and their heads were used to prove their deeds to their kings.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com//world/rewind-2023-seven-most-significant-discoveries-which-left-world-awe-struck-672195">Rewind 2023: Seven most significant discoveries which left world 'awe-struck'</a>

The historian said that once the heads were shown to the kings, their scalp was stripped by the Scythian warriors and the leather was used as a hand towel which was hung from the bridle of their steed. Depending on the number of hand towels possessed by a warrior, the status was granted to them. 
 
"Many Scythians even make garments to wear out of these scalps, sewing them together like coats of skin," wrote Herodotus. 
 
"Many too take off the skin, nails and all, from their dead enemies' right hands, and make coverings for their quivers; the human skin was, as it turned out, thick and shining, the brightest and whitest skin of all, one might say. Many flay the skin from the whole body, too, and carry it about on horseback stretched on a wooden frame,” he added. 
 
With the recent discovery, claims made by Herodotus regarding Scythians appear pretty accurate.

<h2>Researchers study 45 scraps of leather</h2>

The team, led by Orsted Brandt, conducted the study on 45 scraps of leather which were excavated from 14 burial sites. In the past years, scientists used to depend on&nbsp;analysis of the grain of the leather because the DNA got destroyed during the tanning of leather.

Watch:&nbsp;Pope Francis decides to simplify Papal funeral rites

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However, now scientists have developed techniques which help in analysing the proteins in leather and the&nbsp;information is used for identifying the contributing species. 
 
The researchers found that the entire quiver was not made of human skin. As per the study, most of the skin belonged to several animals, the human leather was present only on the top part of the quiver. 
 
"We also identified up to two quivers composed at least partially from human-derived skin, supporting Herodotus' claim that certain parts of some Scythian quivers were actually made with human skin, perhaps from defeated foes,” wrote the researchers.

(With inputs from agencies)

Researchers have discovered scraps of leather from Scythian burial sites spread across southern Ukraine. While analysing those scraps, they found that some of the samples from quivers actually had a human origin.

Researchers have discovered scraps of leather from Scythian burial sites spread across southern Ukraine. While analysing those scraps, they found that some of the samples from quivers actually had a human origin. "Our results demonstrate that Scythians primarily used domesticated species such as sheep, goat, cattle, and horse for the production of leather, while the furs were made of wild animals such as fox, squirrel and feline species," said a team of archaeologists, headed by Luise Orsted Brandt of the University of Copenhagen, Science Alert reported. "The surprise discovery is the presence of two human skin samples, which for the first time provide direct evidence of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus' claim that Scythians used the skin of their dead enemies to manufacture leather trophy items,” he added. Scythian warriors used skin of foe As per ancient Greek historian Herodotus, the ferocious Scythian warriors were bloodthirsty and terrifying people who used the skin of slain corpses of foes. He describes their hides were tanned into leather and used in covering quivers which contained Scythian arrows. The Scythians have remained as mysterious people, who were famous for their warlike, nomadic lifestyle and ruled the Eurasian steppe between the time period of 700 BCE and 300 BCE. An entire book was devoted by Herodotus in documenting the Scythians, which includes their customs and history. In one of the chapters, he spoke about how the enemies were decapitated by the Scythian warriors and their heads were used to prove their deeds to their kings. Also read: Rewind 2023: Seven most significant discoveries which left world 'awe-struck' The historian said that once the heads were shown to the kings, their scalp was stripped by the Scythian warriors and the leather was used as a hand towel which was hung from the bridle of their steed. Depending on the number of hand towels possessed by a warrior, the status was granted to them. "Many Scythians even make garments to wear out of these scalps, sewing them together like coats of skin," wrote Herodotus. "Many too take off the skin, nails and all, from their dead enemies' right hands, and make coverings for their quivers; the human skin was, as it turned out, thick and shining, the brightest and whitest skin of all, one might say. Many flay the skin from the whole body, too, and carry it about on horseback stretched on a wooden frame,” he added. With the recent discovery, claims made by Herodotus regarding Scythians appear pretty accurate. Researchers study 45 scraps of leather The team, led by Orsted Brandt, conducted the study on 45 scraps of leather which were excavated from 14 burial sites. In the past years, scientists used to depend on analysis of the grain of the leather because the DNA got destroyed during the tanning of leather. Watch: Pope Francis decides to simplify Papal funeral rites However, now scientists have developed techniques which help in analysing the proteins in leather and the information is used for identifying the contributing species. The researchers found that the entire quiver was not made of human skin. As per the study, most of the skin belonged to several animals, the human leather was present only on the top part of the quiver. "We also identified up to two quivers composed at least partially from human-derived skin, supporting Herodotus' claim that certain parts of some Scythian quivers were actually made with human skin, perhaps from defeated foes,” wrote the researchers. (With inputs from agencies)

Ferocious Scythians used human skin to make leather: Researchers

In 2016, scientists had created fabric out of fungi in laboratories, they used a technique called 'Biofabrication'. This futuristic material is strong and durable. The best part is that it needs no stitching. For further details, watch the video.

Scientists develop fabric made of 'Fungi' which needs no stitching

Producing leather from animals poses several environmental hazards. A startup in India's Kanpur city, called Phool, has created a new material which is developed as a sustainable alternative to animal leather. It is called Fleather and its journey begins in an unexpected place – flowers. Watch this to know more.

'Fleather': A vegan alternative to leather

In the next 25 years, India's leather industry aims to become net-zero to meet the environmental norms.

Indian Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said that with an aim to consciously reduce carbon emissions from the leather industry in the country, India will be offering attractive financial support to start-ups to come up with innovative and market-friendly leather products.

The minister said so while addressing the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute in Chennai on Thursday.

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Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pitch for new innovations and next-generation technologies, Singh said, the sustainability of the leather sector is likely to emerge as the new challenge for CSIR-CLRI (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Leather Research Institute) in its journey from the platinum to the centenary.

He said the new vision for leather research and industry in India during the next 25 years may need to be based on sustainability, net-zero carbon footprint, gaining total recyclability of leather-based materials, bio-economy of animal skin-derived products, and ensuring income parity for workers, besides brand building.

According to a UN Study, per square meter of leather emits around 17 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) after the slaughterhouse section of the leather supply chain.

As per to the Indian minister, the project will be implemented in 73 districts in the first phase.

"The carbon footprint of leather processing in India needs to approach zero levels and the bio-economy of animal skin-derived products is the new mantra of the time," the minister said, adding that the carrying capacity requirements of the leather sector in locations like Tamil Nadu demand the implementation of Zero Liquid Discharge as the enforced environmental norm, which is under discussion.

India is looking to design and develop leather footwear into foot care solutions with foot hygiene and wearer comfort as unique selling properties.

The country is also on the path to preparing customised footwear for Indians by using 3D technology to scan a person's feet to make their footwear.

"There are as many as half a million cells in the palm of feet that enable the sweating process and leather enjoys an unmatched potential for transpiration," Singh said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-industry-maven-ratan-tata-arrives-at-hotel-in-tata-nano-car-without-bodyguards-wins-the-internet-480368" hreflang="en">Indian industry icon Ratan Tata arrives at hotel in Tata Nano car without bodyguards, wins the internet</a>

The Minister also pointed out that diabetic footwear is one such product that ensures a better quality of life due to the reduction in the abnormal distribution of foot plantar pressure. Foot plantar pressure is the pressure field that acts between the foot and the support surface during everyday locomotor activities.

Singh expressed satisfaction that in 2021, export realisation from the leather sector is valued at Rs 40,000 crores.

The Indian minister said that collagen-based innovative biomaterials for applications in human health care are new opportunities and they could become co-products of leather if next-generation leather-making technologies avoid contaminating skin-based matrix materials with lime, sulfide, and many other sensitive chemicals.

"There is a possibility for CLRI to emerge as the game-changer in the knowledge domain and to make the leather sector matter even more for the new India of the future," he said.

In 1947, the Indian leather sector provided livelihood opportunities to about 50,000 people, but today it supports the livelihood of more than 45 lakh people in the country.

The Indian leather sector has made tangible and traceable contributions to social equity. It has been scientifically assessed that technology utilisation in the footwear industry has significantly contributed to women's empowerment, he said, lauding the social equity benefits of women empowerment emanating from the leather industry since 1950.

The Minister also lauded the role of the CLRI in helping the tannery sector in Tamil Nadu to restore operations when the Supreme Court ordered the closure of about 400 tanneries in 1996 through the innovative deployment of "Do Ecology" solutions in all the 764 functional tanneries within nine months.

He concluded that this was a landmark contribution to public-funded research in the country and there are several contributions of CLRI that have formed an integral part of the developments of the leather sector in India.

In the next 25 years, India's leather industry aims to become net-zero to meet the environmental norms. Indian Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said that with an aim to consciously reduce carbon emissions from the leather industry in the country, India will be offering attractive financial support to start-ups to come up with innovative and market-friendly leather products.

In the next 25 years, India's leather industry aims to become net-zero to meet the environmental norms. Indian Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said that with an aim to consciously reduce carbon emissions from the leather industry in the country, India will be offering attractive financial support to start-ups to come up with innovative and market-friendly leather products. The minister said so while addressing the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute in Chennai on Thursday. Also read | FIR filed against Indian devotee who took his dog to Kedarnath temple Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pitch for new innovations and next-generation technologies, Singh said, the sustainability of the leather sector is likely to emerge as the new challenge for CSIR-CLRI (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Leather Research Institute) in its journey from the platinum to the centenary. He said the new vision for leather research and industry in India during the next 25 years may need to be based on sustainability, net-zero carbon footprint, gaining total recyclability of leather-based materials, bio-economy of animal skin-derived products, and ensuring income parity for workers, besides brand building. According to a UN Study, per square meter of leather emits around 17 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) after the slaughterhouse section of the leather supply chain. As per to the Indian minister, the project will be implemented in 73 districts in the first phase. "The carbon footprint of leather processing in India needs to approach zero levels and the bio-economy of animal skin-derived products is the new mantra of the time," the minister said, adding that the carrying capacity requirements of the leather sector in locations like Tamil Nadu demand the implementation of Zero Liquid Discharge as the enforced environmental norm, which is under discussion. India is looking to design and develop leather footwear into foot care solutions with foot hygiene and wearer comfort as unique selling properties. The country is also on the path to preparing customised footwear for Indians by using 3D technology to scan a person's feet to make their footwear. "There are as many as half a million cells in the palm of feet that enable the sweating process and leather enjoys an unmatched potential for transpiration," Singh said. Also read | Indian industry icon Ratan Tata arrives at hotel in Tata Nano car without bodyguards, wins the internet The Minister also pointed out that diabetic footwear is one such product that ensures a better quality of life due to the reduction in the abnormal distribution of foot plantar pressure. Foot plantar pressure is the pressure field that acts between the foot and the support surface during everyday locomotor activities. Singh expressed satisfaction that in 2021, export realisation from the leather sector is valued at Rs 40,000 crores. The Indian minister said that collagen-based innovative biomaterials for applications in human health care are new opportunities and they could become co-products of leather if next-generation leather-making technologies avoid contaminating skin-based matrix materials with lime, sulfide, and many other sensitive chemicals. "There is a possibility for CLRI to emerge as the game-changer in the knowledge domain and to make the leather sector matter even more for the new India of the future," he said. In 1947, the Indian leather sector provided livelihood opportunities to about 50,000 people, but today it supports the livelihood of more than 45 lakh people in the country. The Indian leather sector has made tangible and traceable contributions to social equity. It has been scientifically assessed that technology utilisation in the footwear industry has significantly contributed to women's empowerment, he said, lauding the social equity benefits of women empowerment emanating from the leather industry since 1950. The Minister also lauded the role of the CLRI in helping the tannery sector in Tamil Nadu to restore operations when the Supreme Court ordered the closure of about 400 tanneries in 1996 through the innovative deployment of "Do Ecology" solutions in all the 764 functional tanneries within nine months. He concluded that this was a landmark contribution to public-funded research in the country and there are several contributions of CLRI that have formed an integral part of the developments of the leather sector in India.

To meet environmental standards, India's leather industry aims at net-zero carbon footprint within 25 years

Fashion industry has been trying to find more animal-friendly options in the recent past. Experts have been rallying to find options which look good, are of high quality and also do not harm animals. Latest development in this is a vegan alternative to leather.<o:p></o:p>

Scientists have discovered that the 'mushroom leather' handbag is a must-have for all fashion enthusiasts, especially the ones who have been promoting animal-friendly and cruelty-free world.<o:p></o:p>

Experts found that mycelium, which is a material grown from fungi, can be prepared in a way to make it look like calfskin or sheepskin. This can become a good alternative to leather, while making sure the products remain cruelty-free.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/parents-protest-introduction-of-porn-in-schools-seek-boards-resignation-in-us-county-433826">Parents protest introduction of 'porn in schools' in US county</a></o:p>

"It can give the same emotional response as an animal leather. It has that hand-feel of rarity," Dr Matt Scullin, CEO of biomaterials company MycoWorks told the Guardian. Experts also believe that this can be a game-changer in the fashion industry and this discovery can unlock a "future of design which begins with the material, not with the object".<o:p></o:p>

Scullin discussed this idea at the Business of Fashion Voices conference in Oxfordshire. The expert talked about how this discovery is a mixture of carbon-neutral dream and optimum use of technology, which makes it 'revolutionary'.<o:p></o:p>

However, designers are worried that this new product will be more expensive than the normal leather as the material is not very accessible in terms of prices right now. "We are working with luxury fashion first because they are ahead of the curve when it comes to sustainability," says Scullin. "These are brands which are in a position to think big and to think long term."<o:p></o:p>

"I am excited to support the fashion world in its efforts to become more sustainable. There is so much potential in fungi to overcome some of the problems we face," said Merlin Sheldrake, author of Entangled Lives: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, and Shape Our Futures, who was also present at the conference. Sheldrake describes this idea as a platform for “fungi as an analogy for thinking creatively, and sustainably".

<o:p>(With inputs from agencies)</o:p>

Fashion industry has been trying to find more animal-friendly options in the recent past. Experts have been rallying to find options which look good, are of high quality and also do not harm animals.

Fashion industry has been trying to find more animal-friendly options in the recent past. Experts have been rallying to find options which look good, are of high quality and also do not harm animals. Latest development in this is a vegan alternative to leather. Scientists have discovered that the 'mushroom leather' handbag is a must-have for all fashion enthusiasts, especially the ones who have been promoting animal-friendly and cruelty-free world. Experts found that mycelium, which is a material grown from fungi, can be prepared in a way to make it look like calfskin or sheepskin. This can become a good alternative to leather, while making sure the products remain cruelty-free. Also read | Parents protest introduction of 'porn in schools' in US county "It can give the same emotional response as an animal leather. It has that hand-feel of rarity," Dr Matt Scullin, CEO of biomaterials company MycoWorks told the Guardian. Experts also believe that this can be a game-changer in the fashion industry and this discovery can unlock a "future of design which begins with the material, not with the object". Scullin discussed this idea at the Business of Fashion Voices conference in Oxfordshire. The expert talked about how this discovery is a mixture of carbon-neutral dream and optimum use of technology, which makes it 'revolutionary'. However, designers are worried that this new product will be more expensive than the normal leather as the material is not very accessible in terms of prices right now. "We are working with luxury fashion first because they are ahead of the curve when it comes to sustainability," says Scullin. "These are brands which are in a position to think big and to think long term." "I am excited to support the fashion world in its efforts to become more sustainable. There is so much potential in fungi to overcome some of the problems we face," said Merlin Sheldrake, author of Entangled Lives: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, and Shape Our Futures, who was also present at the conference. Sheldrake describes this idea as a platform for “fungi as an analogy for thinking creatively, and sustainably". (With inputs from agencies)

Gamechanger? Scientists reveal cruelty-free 'mushroom leather'

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