Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

from Ragged (word doesnt like) By Horatio Alger

Getting up too was an equally short process. He jumped out of the box, shook himself, picked out one or two straws that had found their way into rents in his clothes, and, drawing a well-worn cap over his uncombed locks, he was all ready for the business of the day.

(word doesnt like)'s appearance, as he stood beside the box, was rather peculiar. His pants were torn in several places, and had apparently belonged in the first instance to a boy two sizes larger than himself. He wore a vest, all the buttons of which were gone except two, out of which peeped a shirt which looked as if it had been worn a month. To complete his costume he wore a coat too long for him, dating back, if one might judge from its general appearance, to a remote antiquity.

Washing the face and hands is usually considered proper in commencing the day, but (word doesnt like) was above such refinement. He had no particular dislike to dirt, and did not think it necessary to remove several dark streaks on his face and hands. But in spite of his dirt and rags there was something about (word doesnt like) that was attractive. It was easy to see that if he had been clean and well dressed he would have been decidedly good-looking. Some of his companions were sly, and their faces inspired distrust; but (word doesnt like) had a frank, straight-forward manner that made him a favorite.

Based on the information provided in this sentence, what is the best definition of "remote antiquity?"

To complete his costume he wore a coat too long for him, dating back, if one might judge from its general appearance, to a remote antiquity.

The distant past
The far-flung provinces
An abandoned mansion
An exotic, far-away place