When you pull out your winter clothes or remember the hand-knit sweaters your grandmother made, you can thank the humble sheep. For thousands of years, these animals have provided the wool that humans use to make clothing, blankets, and other essentials.

Humans began selectively breeding woolly sheep as early as 6,000 BC. By the Bronze Age (2,300 to 600 BC), sheep resembling modern breeds were common throughout western Asia. Wool became a major industry in ancient Greece and Rome, where large-scale sheep farming and textile production were well established. As the Roman Empire expanded, the tradition of wool making spread across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

Wool has remained popular for millennia because it is practical and versatile. It was often cheaper and more available than plant fibers like linen, and its durable texture make it ideal for everyday wear. Wool also insulates against both heat and cold, and its natural oils help it resist stains and weather, making it one of the most valuable fibers in human history.

The next time you pull on a soft sweater or cozy blanket, remember that you are wrapped in a story of love, nature, and warmth that began thousands of years ago.