The clothing by Steentijdman Cees, who lived about 4,500 years ago, was pure functional: made of animal sheets, reeds and plant fibers to protect themselves against cold and the rugged climate. After the introduction of sheep and wool, about two thousand years later, clothing became more refined.
In Roman times and Middle Ages, dyes became available, making clothing not only practical, but also graceful. Anouk Veldman, archaeologist at Huis van Hilde, says that clothing tells a lot about how people lived and what they thought was important. “I think it is of all times that people want to look good, but the daily clothing had to be functional. For special moments there was the ‘Sunday dress’.” It was more intended for social traffic.
Text continues under the photo.