Textiles represent a key cultural element of human societies from prehistory to the present, yet they are only rarely preserved in archaeological contexts. In Slovakia, textile fragments are usually found in a highly degraded state, often surviving only as mineralized remains on metal artefacts in graves. As a result, these rare finds have often been overlooked or insufficiently studied.

The PERTEX project aims to fundamentally reassess existing textile finds through an interdisciplinary and technologically advanced approach. We apply state-of-the-art analytical methods – various microscopic techniques, natural scientific analyses (C14 dating, metallography, isotope studies) and comprehensive technological studies of textile production. The research is complemented by ethnographic, archaeobotanical and archaeozoological data, providing a holistic understanding of textile production from the Bronze Age to the Migration Period (2nd millennium BC – 6th century AD). The project focuses not only on the textile fragments themselves, but also on the analysis of tools used in textile production (e.g. spindle whorls, loom weights) and textile processing (e.g. combs, needles).

Comparing finds from Slovakia with textile artefacts from other parts of Central Europe will enable the reconstruction of prehistoric manufacturing techniques, the identification of raw materials and a deeper understanding of the economic, social and cultural aspects of textile production. An important part of the research also involves the study of grave goods associated with clothing, such as jewellery (fibulae, dress fasteners, belt fittings), which provide valuable insights into the use and visual representation of textiles in prehistoric societies.

The results of the PERTEX project will offer a new perspective on the development of textile production and its broader significance within European archaeology.