Controversy exists over when high heels were first invented, but the consensus is that heels were worn by both men and women throughout the world for many years. It wasn’t until the 16th century when it is claimed that high heels were properly invented. But the history of high heels can actually be traced back to Egypt, 3500BC, where murals on walls show upper class citizens wearing heels for ceremonial purposes, as well as Egyptian butchers wearing them to help them walk through the blood of dead animals. The origin of the high heel goes back many centuries in history. The first precursors of stiletto heels were discovered in a tomb of Tebas in Old Egypt, and date from 1000 BC. In later years, high heels would prove to be a symbol of status among European aristocracy.