What impact did climate have on Medieval History? A new crop of studies help to explore the details of the linkage between migrations, wars and much more. Get the overview here
Category: Medieval Archaeology
Setting the Stage for the Black Death
Comparisons of mean survival rates show that when the Black Death hit in 1348, people's general health had for some time been deteriorating
Help Needed to excavate the Castle of Couzan
The Castle of Couzan is a ruined castle near Lyon. This summer you have the chance to help excavate the site and learn some new skills as an archaeologist
Mongol Horrors in Hungary 1241
In 1241 - 42 the Mongol invasions of Hungary caused widespread destruction Recently, a house filled with the charred remains of murdered victims plus a forgotten treasure reminds us of these horrors.
Byzantine Textiles in German Collections
Early Byzantine textiles have survived almost exclusively in the hot and dry climate of Egypt, where the dead were buried in their clothing in furnished graves. Detailed studies of the collections in Germany continue to be published.
Smelting Iron the Viking Way
Smelting Iron the Viking way is a remarkable simple process. It only takes some charcoal, some bog iron ore, roasted and crushed, plus a simple clay oven.
Rewriting History of Vikings in Newfoundland
Guided by ancient Norse sagas and modern satellite images, searchers claim to have discovered North America's second site of Vikings in Newfoundland
Viking Treasures Seen for the First Time
More than ten centuries after being buried in a field conservators are reporting on the contents of a pot of Viking treasure for the first time.
St. Eric of Sweden – A study of the Bones in his Reliquary
Eric the I of Sweden (c. 1125 - 1160) was a stout man, used to fighting and a great fan of a diet of diet of fresh-water fish. It appears, also, the legend of his death speaks the truth
The Ship Burial at Ladby
Curiously enough, Vikings in Denmark were buried in so-called ships-settings, stone-ships created in the landscape to mark out the their graves. Only one viking has ever been found in his ship: the Viking from Ladby.
Christ from Aunslev – Denmark’s Oldest Crucifix
Around 900 - 920 a Danish Viking woman lost a crucifix. The pendant - Christ from Aunslev - may witness to an early presence of Christianity in Denmark
Ancient Monastery at Lindisfarne
The ancient monastery at Lindisfarne has never been properly located. But now, new evidence has come to light and a dig will be undertaken in June 2016
Early Medieval Muslim Graves in France
Nimes was briefly under Muslim rule in the early 8th century. Now the presence has been proven by the find of three Muslim graves
Late Medieval Cog from Kampen
Late Medieval Cog raised from the river Ijssel near Kampen in Holland
Religion and Rulership in Late Iron Age Scandinavia
Comparative archaeological and cultural historical explorations of Late Iron Age Society in Scandinavia have uncovered a complex religious landscape
The Viking Hoard from Ll. Karleby
The viking hoard from Ll. Karleby found in 2015 about 10 km from the royal centre in Lejre sheds important light on the life in the 10th century