TUNICS · The expression of cultural cross-fertilization in Egyptian clothing of the 7th-10th centuries AD.

The TUNICS project explores the impact of cultural cross-fertilization between the diverse populations in Egypt in the Early Medieval period (7th - 10th centuries AD) through an innovative, comparative study of the tunics, the basic garment in Ancient Egypt, and items par excellence to express their wearers’ identity. TUNICS will be the first comprehensive study of clothing from this period in Egypt and will provide a systematic overview of an almost entirely unexplored field in Egyptian archaeology. Both comparative, experimental archaeology and innovative digital research methods will be used to fully investigate the relationship between the garments and their wearer. This research will be primarily object-based and the comparative analysis of data gathered from various museum collections and archaeological sites will not only enhance the insight in technical crafts knowledge, but will also contribute to the understanding of the development of ancient garments and offer a unique perspective to explore different aspects of cultural identity and society. The TUNICS project is hosted by the University of Copenhagen’s Centre for Textile Research (CTR) a world-wide renowned institute in the field of ancient textile studies. The project will benefit from the stimulating and interdisciplinary scientific environment, training opportunities and CTR’s international network.The comparative study will be communicated through a series of academic publications and conferences. An Open Access database will be accessible to professionals as well as to a broader audience with interest in costume and textile history.