Could the Crusades Have Started Decades Earlier?
New research suggests that the Crusades may have begun far earlier than 1095. A study of a 1062 Byzantine embassy reveals Emperor Constantine X Doukas may have sought Western aid—and even invoked Jerusalem—decades before the First Crusade.
The Assassination of Duke Béla of Macsó: Forensic Science Reveals a Medieval Murder
Forensic and genetic analysis of bones found on Margaret Island has confirmed they belong to Duke Béla of Macsó—revealing his royal lineage, diet, and the brutal details of his 1272 assassination.
Viking Age Artefacts Discovered in Sweden
Archaeologists in Sweden have uncovered Viking Age graves containing swords, ornate horse gear, and cremation sites in the central region of Västmanland.
Medieval Torre dei Conti Collapses in Rome, Killing One Worker
A section of the 13th-century Torre dei Conti in Rome collapsed during restoration work, killing one worker and injuring others. Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse at the historic medieval tower.
Medieval Sugar Mill Complex Discovered in Israel
Archaeologists in northern Israel have uncovered Mamluk-era tunnels beneath Gan Ha-Shelosha National Park, revealing a 15th–16th-century sugar mill complex powered by brackish spring water.
Medieval Musical Notations Discovered in 9th-Century Manuscript
A newly identified 9th-century manuscript leaf may contain some of the earliest known examples of written music in Western Europe — what experts are calling a rare witness to the very dawn of musical notation. The manuscript leaf is being offered on the public market for $80,000 US.
Viking-Age Woman’s Burial Discovered in Sweden
Archaeologists in Sweden have uncovered the grave of a woman buried between 8th and 9th century AD, during the early Viking Age, at a site that had already been inhabited more than two thousand years earlier.
Medieval Bread Discovered in Turkey
Archaeologists in southern Turkey have uncovered five carbonised loaves of bread dating to the 7th–8th centuries AD, offering a rare glimpse into early medieval Christian life and worship.
Renaissance Sculpture Acquired by The Getty
The J. Paul Getty Museum has announced the acquisition of a life-size glazed terracotta sculpture by Andrea della Robbia, one of the foremost sculptors of the Italian Renaissance. The work depicts Saint Anthony the Abbot, a third- and fourth-century Christian hermit famed for his asceticism and role as a model for monastic life.
The Medieval Frog: From Healing Charm to Cautionary Tale
In medieval Europe, frogs were both feared and useful — condemned as unclean yet valued in medical recipes and moral tales. A new study explores how this unlikely creature moved from the healer’s toolkit to the storyteller’s page, revealing the many roles of the medieval frog.
New Medieval Exhibition Opens at The Met Cloisters
A new exhibition at The Met Cloisters in New York invites visitors to reconsider the medieval past through the art of human desire. Spectrum of Desire: Love, Sex, and Gender in the Middle Ages explores how artists from the 13th to 15th centuries depicted passion, devotion, and identity in ways that were both deeply spiritual and strikingly sensual.
Medieval Silver Hoard Discovered in Sweden
An unusually large and remarkably well-preserved silver treasure from the Middle Ages has been discovered near the Swedish capital city of Stockholm. The hoard, weighing around six kilograms, was found while the individual was digging for earthworms near a summer house.
Donatello’s Medieval Masterpiece Moved for Conservation Work
Donatello’s Gattamelata, the celebrated bronze equestrian statue in Padua, has been carefully removed from its pedestal for conservation. Experts are conducting detailed studies to prepare for the restoration of this fifteenth-century masterpiece.
Uncovering Medieval North Frisia: New Research Unit Explores Human Impact on the Wadden Sea
The TORF Research Unit is uncovering the medieval past of North Frisia’s Wadden Sea—revealing drowned settlements like Rungholt, storm surge disasters, and centuries-old human efforts to shape the coastline.
“One Shall Stand, One Shall Fall”: Arthurian Legend Meets Transformers: The Movie
Does Transformers: The Movie offer something for medievalists? A new study reveals how the 1986 film echoes Arthurian legend—from Optimus Prime’s chivalric death to Hot Rod’s rise as a young Arthur figure and the Matrix of Leadership as a Grail-like relic.
Brewing Controversy: How Coffee Sparked Fierce Debate in the 16th-Century
A bitter new drink swept through the holy cities of Mecca and Medina in the early 1500s – and ignited one of the fiercest religious debates of the late-medieval Islamic world.
Medieval Councils to Feature in New Edition of the Denzinger Compendium
A new edition of the Denzinger compendium will spotlight medieval reform councils like the Council of Constance, highlighting their enduring influence on Church governance.
Medieval Artefacts Discovered in Canadian Thrift Shop
Medieval rings and medallions sold for just $30 at a Canadian thrift shop are now at Simon Fraser University, where experts and students will investigate their origins and mysteries.
Norway’s Oseberg Ship Begins a New Chapter in the Museum of the Viking Age
Norway’s Oseberg Ship, one of the world’s greatest Viking treasures, has been safely relocated to the new Museum of the Viking Age after a decade of planning and a painstaking 10-hour move.museu
Secret Stirling Tours Open Hidden Corners of Scotland’s Famous Castle
Discover Stirling Castle’s hidden chambers with the new Secret Stirling Tours. Explore medieval chapels, royal closets, graffiti by James VI, and more inside Scotland’s historic fortress.
Excavations at Neuenburg Castle Reveal Lost Medieval Buildings
Archaeologists in Germany are uncovering hidden medieval buildings beneath Neuenburg Castle’s great tower. These new excavations are reshaping the history of this fortress founded in the 11th century.
Digitizing the Medieval Ducal Tower of Siedlęcin
A 14th-century tower in Siedlęcin holds a secret: the only medieval wall paintings of Lancelot still in their original place. Now, researchers are using digital tools to reveal its hidden details.
Seal of Medieval Archbishop Found in Denmark
Archaeologists in Denmark have discovered the medieval seal of Esger Juul, Archbishop of Lund in the early 14th century. The find sheds light on his life, family origins, and role in Danish history.
How the Slavs Transformed Medieval Europe: Ancient DNA Reveals a New Story
Ancient DNA reveals the origins and migrations of the Slavs, showing how families reshaped Europe’s genetic and cultural map in the Middle Ages.
