Historical costume reconstructions are today widely used as tools for visualizing the past, appearing both in the activities of historical reenactment groups and in film and theatrical productions. In dominant public perception, such reconstructions are often regarded as faithful representations of historical reality, shaping collective imaginaries of past epochs. Archaeological research and analyses of garments uncovered in Early Modern church crypts, however, demonstrate that many established reconstruction schemes rely on simplifications or erroneous assumptions, leading to the reproduction of inadequate narratives about the past.

For over a decade, archaeologists from the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń have been developing an alternative practice in which costume reconstruction becomes a form of performative communication of archaeological knowledge. Costume reconstruction shows, organized on the occasion of the completion of crypt excavations, exhibition openings and conferences, take the form of performative events in which archaeologists - acting simultaneously as researchers, reconstructors, and performers - present accurate replicas of garments created based on specific archaeological finds. In this context, the researcher’s body becomes a medium through which artifacts acquire contemporary presence and agency.

Drawing on tools from performance studies and cultural studies, the paper analyzes costume reconstruction shows organized by researchers from Toruń as practices situated at the intersection of archaeology and performance. Using cultural analytical methods, the study examines the role of such events, their structure, and modes of reception. The analysis demonstrates how archaeologists, through these performative practices, not only transmit knowledge but also actively shape contemporary historical consciousness, revealing the performative potential of archaeological research.

First Author: Danuta Greding

Co-Authors: Mikolaj Dobek

Keywords:
Crypt research
Education
Early Modern fashion studies
Performance
Popularization
Poland