London’s Guildhall Library Celebrates 600 Years with a Year of Events
In 1425, London’s Guildhall Library was founded with funds from the will of Richard Whittington, the famous four-time Lord Mayor of London. Now, 600 years later, this institution—home to one of the world’s most significant collections of books on London history—is marking its anniversary with a year-long programme of talks, walks, and literary exhibitions.
Renaissance Map Room in Florence Restored After Three-Year Conservation Effort
Florence’s famed Map Room in the Palazzo Vecchio has been fully restored after a meticulous three-year project, reviving its 16th-century maps, globe, and intricate wooden cabinets for visitors to experience both in person and online.
“This Is the Community’s Wealth”: New Insight into the Galloway Hoard
An inscription on one of the arm-rings from the Galloway Hoard may finally have been deciphered, offering fresh insights into the origins of this extraordinary Viking-Age treasure trove.
Spectacular Iron Age Weapon Sacrifice Unearthed in Denmark—Including a Rare Roman Helmet
Archaeologists in Denmark have uncovered a remarkable Iron Age weapon deposit near Hedensted, revealing more than a hundred spears, swords, and a unique chainmail
Restoration Completed at Medieval Temple of Phnom Krom
A brick temple at Phnom Krom, a historic hilltop temple complex in central Cambodia, has undergone a full restoration, returning it to its original splendour.
Archaeologists Uncover Rare Late Medieval Pottery Kiln in England
A well-preserved pottery kiln dating to the late medieval period has been unearthed at a school in Sutton, England, offering new insights into…
Earliest Known Rune-Stone Discovered in Norway
Archaeologists in Norway have pieced together fragments of what is now the world’s earliest known rune-stone, dating back to as early as 50 BC.
New Documentary ‘Knight Life’ Explores the World of Full-Contact Jousting
Vision Films has released Knight Life, a new documentary that delves into the high-impact world of professional jousting. Directed by Matt Poitras, the film follows David W. Schade, a 25-year veteran of the sport, as he navigates the twilight years of his career.
Hidden in Plain Sight: A Medieval Fresco Shows Islamic Tents Used in Christian Churches
A forgotten fresco in an Italian church has revealed a surprising medieval practice—Islamic tents were used to cover Christian altars. The 13th-century fresco, recently rediscovered in Ferrara, Italy, is believed to be the only known depiction of this tradition, shedding new light on the connections between Christian and Islamic artistic influences in medieval Europe.
Archaeologists Identify ‘Lost’ Anglo-Saxon Site Depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry
A team of archaeologists has uncovered evidence that a private home in England may stand on the site of a long-lost residence belonging to Harold Godwinson, the last Anglo-Saxon King of England. Their findings suggest that this location, depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry, was a major centre of power before the Norman Conquest.
Big Changes Coming to the Louvre – and the Mona Lisa
The Louvre is set for a major transformation, with plans to revamp its infrastructure, improve visitor experience, and give the Mona Lisa its own dedicated space.
Seven Cambridge Elements Books that Medievalists Can Download for Free
The Cambridge Elements Series has recently released seven thought-provoking books that delve into different aspects of medieval life, thought, and global connections.
Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry to Be Displayed in a Rare Landmark Exhibition
The Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, one of the great illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages, will take centre stage in a landmark exhibition at the Château de Chantilly, just north of Paris.
Medieval Helmet Fragment Discovered in Denmark
A remarkable piece of history has been discovered near the town of Lejre in eastern Denmark. Metal detectorists have unearthed an exceptionally rare helmet fragment dating back to just before the Early Middle Ages.
Medieval Farmers Showed Remarkable Efficiency in Land Use, New Study Reveals
Beneath the temperate forests of western Czechia lies evidence of medieval agricultural ingenuity, revealing how farmers prioritised cereal crops, practised fertilisation, and carefully organised their land. A new study has uncovered these insights through soil analysis, offering a unique glimpse into the economic and ecological practices of the Middle Ages.
Thomas Aquinas died from head trauma, study suggests
A recent study has revisited the mysterious death of Thomas Aquinas, one of the most influential theologians and philosophers of the Middle Ages
Medieval Academy of America Marks 100 Years with a Special Issue of Speculum
The Medieval Academy of America (MAA), founded in 1925 as a scholarly organisation dedicated to the study of the Middle Ages, celebrates its centenary this year. To mark the occasion, Speculum: A Journal of Medieval Studies, the Academy’s flagship journal, has published a themed issue reflecting on the history and evolution of medieval studies as a field.
Medieval Birds of Prey Feasted on Human Waste, Study Finds
Birds of prey in medieval Britain relied heavily on scavenging human waste and scraps, a new study has revealed.
Genetic Study Reveals Cultural Integration in Avar Communities in the Early Middle Ages
The Avars, a group that arrived in the region from the East Asian steppes in the 6th century AD, settled among a diverse local population. However, questions lingered about the ancestry of those buried in these 8th-century sites: were they descendants of the Avar conquerors, the local populations, or a mixture of both?
Byzantine Monastery with Stunning Mosaic Discovered in Israel
An archaeological excavation near Kiryat Gat, a city southwest of Jerusalem, has uncovered a Byzantine monastery with a mosaic floor featuring a Greek inscription, as well as a sophisticated winepress and other ancient structures.
Exploring the Medieval World Through Illuminated Manuscripts at the Morgan Library
The Morgan Library & Museum has unveiled an extraordinary exhibition, The Book of Marvels: Imagining the Medieval World, running from January 24 through May 25, 2025.
Medieval African Fashion to be Showcased at Berlin’s Bode-Museum
Starting February 6th, Berlin’s Bode-Museum will host Dress to Impress: Reconstructions of Medieval Robes from Nubia, an exhibition highlighting the artistry and elegance of medieval African fashion.
11th-Century Coin Hoard Unearthed in Eastern England
A hoard of over 321 mint-condition silver coins has been discovered near the construction site of Sizewell C, a future nuclear power station on England’s eastern coast.
Viking Burial Mound in Norway Confirmed as Man-Made Structure
Recent ground-penetrating radar surveys have confirmed that Karnilshaugen, a large mound in western Norway, is a man-made burial site, validating long-held archaeological theories.
Medieval Treasures of Lithuania Unearthed in Vilnius Cathedral
A cache of medieval royal regalia, hidden for over 80 years, has been uncovered in Vilnius Cathedral, revealing the splendour of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.