The world’s oldest shoe may have suffered the fate of cutting-edge design down the ages — falling out of fashion.

A 5,500-year-old soft-soled plain leather moccasin with laces found in a cave in Armenia is from a previously unknown culture that flourished with the first farmers. It is 1,000 years older than the Great Pyramid of Giza. The right shoe — the left has not been discovered — is in good condition, with no sign of why it was discarded.

Ron Pinhasi, of University College Cork, believes that it may simply have gone out of style. “In societies that are no longer egalitarian you have the wealthier showing they can afford things,” he said.

The shoe was preserved by the cool, dry cave and a layer of sheep dung that sealed it from the air. It was stuffed with grass, probably to maintain its shape, researchers say in the Public Library of Science One.

It is similar to the pampooties that were worn in parts of Ireland until the 20th century.