New website tells the story of medieval people through their bones
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have created the website ‘After the Plague: Health and History in Medieval England’ that makes use of skeletal remains to detail everyday lives during the era of the Black Death and its aftermath.
New open-access book charts the archaeological discoveries at Berkeley Castle
Berkeley Castle’s origins date back to the 11th century. A newly published book – which you can read for free – reveals 15 years of archaeological excavations that have unearthed forgotten treasures and greatly enhanced understanding of the area’s rich medieval history.
Rise and Fall of Medieval Tibetan Empire linked to Climate Change
Between the 7th and 9th centuries AD a new empire emerged in medieval Asia – the Tibetan Kingdom under the Yarlung dynasty expanded its domain in all directions, reaching as far as the Indian Ocean. A new study links their expansion and subsequent downfall to climate change.
Medieval building discovered by archaeologists in Germany
Archaeologists working at Magdeburg’s Cathedral Square in eastern Germany have uncovered the remains of a large medieval building thought to be over a thousand years old.
Yak milk was a popular drink in the Mongol Empire, study finds
The Mongol Empire reached the height of its power in the 13th century. It was also during this time that yak milk became a popular drink among its elite, a new study has found.
Medieval Castle for Sale in France
Dating back to the 12th century, this picturesque castle has its share of history during the Middle Ages and afterwards.
1,400-year-old temple discovered in England
Sutton Hoo has been home to some of the most amazing discoveries from Early Medieval England. Now, archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a 1400-year-old, possible pre-Christian temple in the same area.
Major exhibition on Africa & Byzantium set to begin at The Met
This weekend marks the beginning of a major new exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Africa & Byzantium will present nearly 200 artworks, including many that have never before been exhibited in the United States.
Bellini painting discovered in Croatia
A previously unknown work of the Renaissance master Giovanni Bellini has been discovered in Croatia. Painted around 1460, it depicts the Virgin and Child.
Two major medieval studies publishers to merge
Two of the largest publishers in the field of medieval studies, De Gruyter and Brill, are set to merge next year as progress continues on a € 51.5 million deal.
Drawings discovered in ruins of medieval castle
A new survey of a German castle dating back to the 13th century has revealed dozens of drawings carved into its ruined walls. They depict a variety of images including a lock and key, tools, agricultural implements, everyday objects, geometric shapes and Christian, heraldic and magical symbols.
Newly discovered medieval painting goes to The Louvre
A medieval painting that was discovered in France in 2019 is now going to The Louvre. ‘The Derision of Christ’ by Cimabue was one of the most expensive paintings ever sold when it was auctioned for €24 million.
Adriatic Sea or Gulf of Venice? How Medieval Politics played out on maps
For centuries a debate was taking place among Europe’s mapmakers: should the Adriatic Sea be called the Gulf of Venice?
Archaeologists explore deserted medieval village in Germany
Archaeologists working in Germany have been uncovering the remains of a medieval village that was deserted around the end of the 15th century. They have so far discovered thousands of items and a small castle.
Details of Italian earthquake from 1446 discovered in Hebrew Prayer Book
The chance discovery of a note written in a 15th-century Hebrew prayer book fills an important gap in the historical Italian earthquake record, offering a brief glimpse of a previously unknown earthquake affecting the Marche region in the central Apennines.
Medieval ‘folding chair’ discovered
German archaeologists discovered a very unique item during excavations last year: a folding chair dated to the 6th century. After a year of research they are revealing what they know about the object.
Nearly 500,000 Dirhams were buried in Viking-Age Scandinavia, study finds
A new study reveals that silver coins from the medieval Islamic world were incredibly prevalent in Viking-Age Scandinavia. In fact, Scandinavian museums possess almost 500,000 dirhams, more than any other place in the world and shows that the Norse had an intense desire for silver.
Medieval skeleton with prosthetic hand discovered in Germany
Archaeologists working in southern Germany have found a man with an iron prosthesis on his arm in a grave. The prosthesis likely dates from the second half of the 15th cenetury.
British Library digitizes its entire Chaucer manuscript collection
The British Library has made available online its entire collection of manuscripts related to Geoffrey Chaucer. Users can now freely access over 60 items, which include many versions of The Canterbury Tales.
Charles the Wise may have killed himself trying to stop prophecy of his own death, study finds
Did Charles V, King of France (1364-80), die from an attempted poisoning, committed 23 years early? Or was his death caused by his own attempts to stop his physician’s warning? A new study weighs in on the case of the ‘weeping fistula’.
A rare medieval tattoo from Africa
A Polish-Sudanese team of researchers investigating a medieval African monastery has made another interesting discovery: a religious tattoo on an individual who lived 1300 years ago.
Special Issue of postmedieval Spotlights Medieval Dance
“Legacies of Medieval Dance,” a new special issue of the journal postmedieval: A Journal of Medieval Cultural Studies, is the most comprehensive collection of medieval dance scholarship to date.
Leading Byzantine Studies journal now open-access
Dumbarton Oaks Papers, which has been a leading academic journal in the field of Byzantine Studies since 1941, has unveiled a new website where all of its issues are open-access and available to read for free.
Runestones reveal story of Viking Queen
Archaeologists have used 3D scanning to investigate inscriptions carved on two groups of runestones, in Denmark revealing that four stones were likely made in dedication to a powerful Viking Queen from the tenth century.