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.
The Alhambra is now the World’s Instagrammable Castle
What are the Most Instagrammable Castle to Visit in 2023? Here are the top 20.
Southern Africa’s largest medieval city had an extensive water management system, researchers find
Great Zimbabwe, the largest city in southern Africa during the Middle Ages, made use of dozens of large pits to store water. A new study reveals how this system allowed the community to manage a stable water supply in a region prone to drought.
New study examines the evolution of Yersinia pestis and how it led to the Black Death
The study features an analysis of more than 600 genome sequences from around the globe, spanning the plague’s first emergence in humans 5,000 years ago, the plague of Justinian, the medieval Black Death and the current (or third) Pandemic, which began in the early 20th century.
Medieval prostitutes, concubines, and their relationships – their story told in new research
In late medieval Valencia, city authorities would not punish a woman for being a prostitute or being a concubine, but she could not be both.
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.
Artificial Intelligence used to learn who penned medieval manuscripts
Project will make use of artificial intelligence to identify copyists of manuscripts from the 12th century in the library of Klosterneuburg Monastery.
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.
People in early medieval settlement had “very poor health,” study finds
New study on early medieval community reveals they suffered from many diseases and infections.
Vikingology: The Art and Science of the Viking Age
A new video podcast has just started uploading episodes – Vikingology: The Art and Science of the Viking Age will explore all things Norse.
Researchers discover what’s inside medieval pendant using neutrons
In 2008, a gold-plated pendant was discovered in Mainz, Germany. Researchers believed that the pendant was around 800 years old, and that something was hidden inside of it. However, trying to physically open it could damage the artifact. Therefore, they decided to scan the pendant with a neutron beam.
New study reveals who came to Scandinavia during the Viking Age
A large-scale study of the genetic history of Scandinavia over the last 2000 years has found increased patterns of migration during the Viking Age.
New issue of Medieval World: Medieval people up in arms
Issue 4 of Medieval World: Culture & Conflict looks at how people fought for and protected their towns and communities in the Middle Ages!
New study re-examines the death of Edward the Black Prince
Whatever disease killed Edward the Black Prince—heir apparent to the English throne in the 14th century—is unlikely to have been chronic dysentery, as is commonly believed, according to a study in the journal BMJ Military Health.
Severe drought may have led the Huns to attack the Roman Empire, study suggests
Hunnic peoples migrated westward across Eurasia, switched between farming and herding, and became violent raiders in response to severe drought in the Danube frontier provinces of the Roman empire, a new study argues.
What we learned from a medieval Jewish cemetery in Erfurt
Last month we released a study examining the remains of the medieval Ashkenazi Jewish community in Erfurt, Germany. Our research has given us a better understanding of how this community lived in the Middle Ages.
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.
‘Byzantine’ should no longer mean malicious programs, computer body says
The word ‘Byzantine’ is often used “to refer to computer systems that are not only deviant but malicious – like have some deceitful intent destructive purpose.”
Would you rather have a Knight’s sword or a Horse figurine?
Two medieval items coming up for auction will probably be bought for a similar price. Which would you choose to have?
“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.
Medieval skeletons help reveal genetic causes of bone tumours
Two men buried in a medieval graveyard in Ireland had a genetic condition called Multiple Osteochondromas, which causes benign bone tumours. One of the disease mutations is a new discovery, so this is the first time such information has been unlocked from ancient genomic data.
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.
Hidden inscriptions hint at mystery medieval woman’s identity
A series of secret drawings and writings possibly added by a mysterious female scribe have been uncovered in a manuscript over 1,200 years old.