Sew Much To Do, Sew Little Time

This episode of The EXARC Show includes a great discussion about textile archaeology from Early Medieval Britain and Iron Age Slovenia with guests Alex Makin and Ronja Lau. Tune in as host Matilda Siebrecht talks to our guests about some new ways that textiles are being studied, the limitations of the archaeological record, the diversity of the world in the past, and the many ways that experimental archaeology has contributed to our understanding of the archaeology of textiles.

Alexandra is a professional embroiderer and archaeologist who has a PhD from the University of Manchester. Her research focuses on the development of fabric and material production, and decision-making processes associated with embroidery production and its meaning within the Early Medieval period. As well as her research, Alex is also involved in public outreach, both in person as well as written articles and blogs.

Ronja has recently completed her Masters at the Freie Universität in Berlin where she analysed the textile remains from Iron Age Hallstatt sites and is particularly interested in the origins of textile technologies. In addition to archaeological analysis, Ronja has completed several clothing reproductions and incorporates experimental archaeology into her research focus.