The great halls at Lejre – by myth linked to the royal dynasty of the Scyldingas , Skjöldungar – continues to amaze. Holding the largest hall ever excavated, the complex was fenced-in by an impressive palisade. Recently the gate was discovered.
Category: Medieval Archaeology
Uppåkra – A Central Place in Sweden from the first Millenium
Uppåkra in South-Western Sweden presents a remarkable continuity. For more than a thousand years, the place functioned as a cultic, commercial and elite centre.
Yersinia Pestis Detected in 6th and 7th Century Graves in Britain, Gaul, and Spain.
How widespread was the Justinian Plague in the 6th century? And how devastating? New research indicates a situation much like that of the Later Middle Ages.
Emma – Queen of Ethelred the Unready and Cnut the Great on View?
1300 bones have been picked to crate order out of chaos in the famous bone caskets in Winchester Cathedral. Next week, one of the results - the skeleton of Emma - will be revealed.
Lisbjerg Church and Manor ca. 950 – 1200
The medieval church in Lisbjerg dates to c. AD 1100 – 1150. However, a predecessor in the form of a wooden stave church was built as part of a fenced manor c. 1000 – 1100.
The Royal Complex of Scone from the 10th century
Scone is best known for the Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny or the Stone of Coronation. Less well known is that Scone was the primary ceremonial and legislative gathering place in Scotland. Recently, the results from extensive archaeological excavations were published.
Migration, integration and cultural consolidation are the new buzzwords in archaeology
Is a shift in “culture” the result of local evolutions or the meeting up of people? And how does such “meetings” play out culturally? Since the “invention” of new archaeology, this question has caused multiple controversies among archaeologists as well as historians. New aDNA studies lead the way to document the actual character of migratory movements.
Social Structure among the Longobards in Northern Italy in the 6th and 7th centuries
Studies of ancient DNA on skeletons from two migration period cemeteries in Hungary and Italy tells us in detail about the social structure in the 6th and 7th centuries.
Avaldsnes – Norway’s Oldest Royal Seat
The famous royal seat at Avaldsnes on the West-coast of Norway is best known as the residence of Harold Fairhair, but excavations tell us about a splendid royal hall from the 13th century
New Finds at Haithabu in Northern Germany
This summer archaeologists excavate a burial ground from 10th century Haithabu. Spectacular finds may shed further light on the elite lifestyle of Vikings
19th-Century Peasant Dashed Archaeologists’ Hopes in Fregerslev
Hopes of finding a full burial ground surrounding the grave of the Fregerslev Viking have been dashed. But finds of blingy harness and numerous arrows exite
Will the Medieval Newport Ship once again Sail on the Usk?
Plans are being made to have the Medieval Newport Ship from the 15th century recreated by a Basque Heritage Group, the Albaola.
Climate and Migrations in Early Medieval Germany
What role did the Early Medieval climate changes play in the creation of the post-Roman world? Did people migrate because of the cooling weather?
Early Viking Settlement Beneath St. Olaf’s Shrine
In 2016, the the church of St. Clemens where St. Olaf was buried was located by archaeologists in Trondheim. Now, it seems, an early Viking settlement has been found below.
Early Medieval Irish Hand-Bells
Hand-bells belong to a group of liturgical objects connected with the early Irish Church. Was Ireland the primary production centre? Or did Irish hand-bells just play aparticular role as significant relics?
Poggibonsi In the Middle Ages
Medieval Poggibonsi in Tuscany was a fortified hilltop village. Now an open-air museum, it is dedicated to authenticity and faithful recreation.