There has never been a discovery like this before: 17 years ago, archaeologists found textile remains that were centuries old. Now these have been analyzed.
Impressive find in the Hanseatic city: Around 7,000 medieval textile fragments were discovered in Bremen during development work on the Überseestadt in 2007. As Bremen State Archeology announced on Friday, it is the largest known textile complex of this time in Germany. Dieter Bishop from the state archeology department explained: “After extensive restoration cleaning, a true textile treasure has now been revealed.”
The finds come from a city moat that was filled in around 1,600 meters and include robes, hats, tights and gloves. They feature details such as appliqué trim, buttonholes and knitwear, which experts say offers unique insights into the clothing of Renaissance-era citizens. A special feature is that these finds can be attributed to the bourgeoisie and do not come from aristocratic robes as is usual.
During excavations in 2007, construction workers came across a medieval city moat. The fortifications were rebuilt during the Thirty Years’ War and the old ditch was filled in, explained Bishop. The people of Bremen disposed of everything there that they wanted to get rid of after the plague. In addition to jewelry, coins and weapons, archaeologists also recovered clothing, sewing patterns, scissors and needles.
According to the experts, the finds suggest that there was also a tailor’s shop there in the Middle Ages. Around 1600, the middle class brought their clothes to the workshop to be mended and altered.
The analysis of the fabric was carried out by, among others, the textile restorer Katja Wagner in cooperation with the German Textile Museum in Krefeld. Bishop emphasized: “These rare fabrics reveal much more about early modern clothing and its production than contemporary paintings or the few surviving robes of the nobility from this period.” The investigations also reveal curious finds, including a so-called tiphoiken – a textile horn over the forehead that was part of a Bremen lady’s cloak.
What was discovered was “something very special because archaeologists hardly ever find any materials,” said Bischofweiter. The finds are unique in Germany and important throughout Europe.
Arne Butt from the VGH Foundation, which supports the project, said: “The results of the investigation into the extraordinary textile find can now be used for further research questions on urban and regional history.”
