Archäotechnica — Fibers, Clothes, Adornments

Archaeology to Touch — 2026 Focus: Fashion

On August 1st and 2nd, 2026, one of the best hands-on festivals in Brandenburg's museum landscape will take place at the Brandenburg State Archaeological Museum: Archäotechnica. The annual major event — from hand axes to cars, from animal hides to crinolines — is dedicated exclusively to fashion history in 2026: “Fibers, Clothes, Adornments — Humans and Fashion Through the Ages”. For two days, from 10 AM to 5 PM each day, invited practitioners and scientists will demonstrate how people have covered, adorned, and expressed themselves since entering the Lusatian and Havelland landscape in the Stone Age.

From Animal Hide to Crinoline

The concept of Archäotechnica is immediately present — no display cases, but hands-on experience. What you can experience in 2026:

• Neolithic Workshop: How were hides processed, dried, and softened in the Stone and Bronze Ages? How were the first fabrics woven? Live demonstrations with replicas of original tools.
• Ancient Fashion: Egyptian loincloths, Greek chitons, Roman togas — how were they folded, woven, dyed? Demonstrations with reconstructions of original fabrics.
• Germanic and Celtic Costume: Woolen cloths, bronze brooches, glass beads — the clothing of the Iron Age population of present-day Brandenburg.
• Middle Ages and Early Modern Period: Medieval patterns, leather processing, gold embroidery, fur work.
• Plant Dyeing: How did our ancestors dye their fabrics? Indigo, madder, weld, oak bark — demonstrations with live dyeing.
• Jewelry Metalwork: Bronze and iron casting, glass bead making, filigree work.

Fashion Show Through the Millennia

A special program highlight in 2026: A fashion show through the millennia. On a catwalk on the Paulikloster grounds, professionally reconstructed outfits from over ten historical eras will be presented — from the first tunic to baroque hoop skirt constructions. A format that makes the diversity of human fashion history visible in half an hour.

The Paulikloster as the Ideal Venue

The venue itself is part of the program: The Paulikloster in Brandenburg an der Havel is a preserved Dominican monastery from the 13th century — today the seat of the Brandenburg State Archaeological Museum. The medieval architecture, the cloister, and the former monastery church form a historically dense setting that visually and acoustically supports the hands-on stations, workshops, and demonstrations. Visitors to the festival will also get to see the museum's permanent exhibition — one of the most important archaeological collections in North Brandenburg.

Brandenburg an der Havel — Capital of the State

Brandenburg an der Havel, with just under 73,000 inhabitants, is one of Brandenburg's three independent cities and gives its name to the entire federal state. It is located between Berlin and Magdeburg on the Havel River. The old town with its brick cathedral, the Old Town Hall, St. Catherine's Church, and the Paulikloster itself boasts one of Brandenburg's most impressive historical cityscapes. Travel from Berlin is convenient by car (A 2) or regional train (RE 1).