Archaeologists explore medieval monastery in Germany
For the first time, archaeologists have excavated the abandoned Himmelpforte monastery near Wernigerode in central Germany. The dig, directed by the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt, was able to locate monastery buildings and uncover numerous finds that tell of the everyday life of the Augustinian monks.
Medieval gaming piece with runic inscription found in Norway
An excavation in Trondheim led to the discovery of a soapstone gaming piece bearing a runic inscription.
This is the face of a teenager from early medieval England
A forensic artist has reconstructed the face of a 16-year-old woman buried in 7th-century England.
People were decapitated in Anglo-Saxon England crudely, study finds
If just being executed in Anglo-Saxon England was not bad enough, it seems that those unlucky victims of beheading would also have to…
Medieval treasure trove discovered in the Netherlands
Gold jewellery and silver coins, some dating back to the 11th century, have been discovered in Hoogwoud, a town in The Netherlands. They are now on display at the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden).
Remains of a medieval watermill discovered in England
Archaeologists working in southern England have uncovered the remains of a watermill that dates back to the Middle Ages. The work was done by Cotswold Archaeology as part of the work for the HS2 project.
There is a medieval ship under this building
A team of researchers is investigating a medieval ship buried on the site of a pub in northwestern England. They hope to find out where it came from and exactly how old it is.
Medieval artefact displaying fantastic beasts discovered in England
A silver gilt strap end decorated with fantastic beasts on either side has been discovered in Hampshire, England.
Remains of 15th-century anchoress identified
Lady Isabel German was an anchoress who lived in the English city of York during the 15th century. Researchers believe that they have identified her remains, according to a study published in Medieval Archaeology.
Giant sword discovered in Japan
A sword measuring 237 cm long (7 feet 9 inches) has been discovered during an archaeological dig in Nara City. It is believed to be the largest iron sword ever found in Japan.
Medieval Gatehouse discovered in England
A medieval gatehouse, which may date back to the 13th century, has been discovered by archaeologists in central England. It was part of a manor and was attacked during the English Civil War.
The Vikings and the animals that came with them to Britain
When the Viking Great Army invaded England in 865, it was not just people who arrived. A new study of cremated bone fragments from burial mounds reveals that horses, dogs and other animals also made the North Sea crossing.
Medieval moat discovered in Jerusalem
A deep 1,000-year-old rock-hewn moat and a mysterious hand imprint were uncovered next to the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem
Medieval English monasteries found ways to survive Viking attacks, archaeologists find
English monasteries were more resilient to Viking attacks than previously thought, archaeologists have concluded.
Timber building found in England might date back to 16th century
A historic timber-frame building has been discovered during restoration work in the northern city of Wakefield. It is believed that it could have been a house dating back to the 16th century.
New study reveals that Europe’s Bog Bodies stretched into the Middle Ages
An international team of archaeologists have analysed hundreds of ancient human remains found in Europe’s wetlands, revealing these “bog bodies” were part of a tradition that spanned millennia.
Two early medieval churches discovered in northeastern Africa
Archaeologists working in Eritrea have identified the remains of two Christian churches that were once part of the medieval Kingdom of Aksum. Construction on these churches may date as far back as the fifth century AD.
“Once-in-a-lifetime”: 7th-century gold and gemstone necklace discovered in England
An early medieval necklace made of gold, garnets and semi-precious stones has been found by archaeologists working in central England. Dubbed the ‘Harpole Treasure’, this is being called an internationally significant discovery.
Two medieval shipwrecks discovered in Sweden
The remains of two medieval merchant vessels, known as cogs, were discovered over the summer in western Sweden during an archaeological excavation. New evidence reveals that the ships were built outside of Scandinavia in the mid-14th century.
Viking Age silver treasure discovered in Norway
“This is quite an exceptional find. Finding this big a treasure from the Viking Age hasn’t happened in Norway for a long time.”
Archaeologists uncover medieval farm in England
An archaeological dig in northern England is uncovering a high-status medieval farm that had close links to the Cistercian monastery. The finds have included jet rosary beads, pottery and glazed tiles.
Beautiful medieval tiles discovered in Poland
Archaeologists working in eastern Poland have unearthed several hundred fragments of tiles that once decorated the walls and floor of a late-medieval stronghold.
Medieval shipwreck’s cargo revealed by researchers
Around the year 1440, a ship was sailing towards Belgium when it sank off the coast of Sweden. Researchers have now been able to determine its cargo – which included copper, oak timber, quicklime, tar, and bricks and roof tiles – offering insights into trade in northern Europe during the late Middle Ages.
The ‘Nuclear’ Hillforts of Early Medieval Scotland
The ‘nuclear’ fort was first proposed by R.B.K Stevenson (1949) as consisting of a central citadel that sits at the summit or centre of a hill with outworks connecting and looping off the central enclosure, thus creating a descending hierarchical organisation of space through terracing and multivallation.
Early medieval mosaics discovered in Israel
Archaeologists working in Israel have discovered mosaics from the early Middle Ages. They were found in a residence that was near Khirbat al-Minya, an Ummayad palace built in the eighth century.