Digging into the Dark Ages: Early Medieval Fake Histories and How to Combat Them
Lecture by Howard Williams
Held online by the University of Chester on March 16, 2021
Abstract: This talk will explore how stereotypes and popular perceptions of the Early Middle Ages (5th–11th centuries AD) – popularly still-considered the European ‘Dark Ages’– plague our popular culture. Howard Williams will address how archaeology has long transformed our understanding of the period and yet myths, legends, fantasies and fake histories persist. The lecture offers some case studies showing how archaeological research can combat the fables with hard evidence, confronting both ridiculous and dangerous visions of the Dark Ages in today’s society.
Digging into the Dark Ages: Early Medieval Fake Histories and How to Combat Them
Lecture by Howard Williams
Held online by the University of Chester on March 16, 2021
Abstract: This talk will explore how stereotypes and popular perceptions of the Early Middle Ages (5th–11th centuries AD) – popularly still-considered the European ‘Dark Ages’– plague our popular culture. Howard Williams will address how archaeology has long transformed our understanding of the period and yet myths, legends, fantasies and fake histories persist. The lecture offers some case studies showing how archaeological research can combat the fables with hard evidence, confronting both ridiculous and dangerous visions of the Dark Ages in today’s society.
Howard Williams is Professor of Archaeology at the University of Chester. Click here to view his website, or follow Howard on Twitter @howardmrw
Top Image: A Viking Age depiction from the Tjängvide image stone, on Gotland.Photo by Berig / Wikimedia Commons
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