Archaeologists have uncovered the world’s oldest bra.

The lace and linen undergarment dates back to hundreds of years before women’s underwear was thought to exist.

The bra and several other items of medieval lingerie had lain hidden in a vault beneath the floorboards of East Tyrol’s Lengberg Castle since the 15th century.

Despite their state of decay, knickers that were found with the haul bear more than a passing resemblance to the string bikini briefs popular today, while the 532-year-old bra has the fitted cups and delicate straps of its modern-day counterparts.