New exhibition brings together Staffordshire Hoard and Sutton Hoo objects
Two of England’s most important early medieval archaeological discoveries have been reunited for a new exhibition, Swords of Kingdoms: The Staffordshire Hoard at Sutton Hoo.
Solar panels installed at Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle has unveiled its newly installed solar panels, part of Historic Environment Scotland’s efforts to reduce energy use across the historic properties in its care.
Kalila wa Dimna: Ancient Tales for Troubled Times – exhibition to take place in London
An eighth-century collection of fables is the focus of a new exhibition taking place in London. Kalila wa Dimna: Ancient Tales for Troubled Times will be running at the P21 Gallery from May 12th to June 11th.
Medieval World: Culture & Conflict – new magazine about the Middle Ages launches
A new bi-monthly magazine has been launched which engages with the rich history, art, and culture of the Middle Ages.
How Black Rats colonised Europe – Twice
A new study explains the rodent colonised the continent on two occasions in the Roman and Medieval periods.
Kalamazoo 2022: What the Congress Program Tells Us
Giving a preview of the upcoming International Congress on Medieval Studies – the largest annual gathering of the medieval academic community.
National Library of Scotland digitises 240 medieval manuscripts
The National Library of Scotland has digitised a collection of more than 240 precious manuscripts, many with Scottish origins ranging from the 9th to the 16th century. The collection also includes volumes produced in England, France, Italy and northwest Europe, as well as Greece and Iceland.
New survey of Dunstable Priory reveals a grander complex
Historic England has published a survey giving fascinating insights into Dunstable Priory, a monastery founded by King Henry I around the year 1132. It reveals that the church was grander and more elaborate than originally thought.
Who was eating meat in early medieval England?
Very few people in England ate large amounts of meat before the Norse settled, and there is no evidence that elites ate more meat than other people, a major new bioarchaeological study suggests.
Alicia McKenzie passes away
Alicia McKenzie, a medieval historian and instructor at Wilfrid Laurier University, has passed away at the age of 46.
‘Tis Just A Scratch: Fact and Fiction About the Middle Ages
A new podcast is exploring the issues of chivalry, knights and medieval history. ‘Tis Just A Scratch: Fact and Fiction About the Middle Ages is hosted by Richard Abels, a retired professor of history at the United States Naval Academy and one of the leading historians on medieval warfare, especially England during the Early Middle Ages.
Clifford’s Tower reopens
Clifford’s Tower in York has reopened to the public this month, following a major £5 million project to conserve and radically transform the interior of the 800-year-old landmark.
Genetic study connects the Avars to the fall of the Rouran Khaganate
In the year 555 AD, the Rouran Khaganate, based in northeast Asia, was defeated and scattered by a Turkish invasion. Around 567-8, a new nomadic group known as the Avars came to Eastern Europe. Now, a new genetic study has linked these two groups.
New insights into Scotland’s ‘bodies in the bog’
In 1976, the remains of 14 individuals were discovered in the latrine of a Roman bathhouse in Cramond, Scotland. Dubbed the ‘bodies in the bog’, they were considered a mystery. Now, new research has revealed details about who these people were and where they came from.
Drought led to the end of Norse Greenland settlement, researchers find
New research suggests it wasn’t dropping temperatures that helped drive the Norse from Greenland, but drought.
Beware the Eye of Odin – new comic miniseries coming in June
Fans of all things Norse will get the chance to read a tale of Vikings, trolls, frost giants, and Valkyries, as Image Comics releases Beware the Eye of Odin in June.
Egypt’s emerald mines fell under the control of the Blemmyes in the Early Middle Ages, archaeologists find
Control over emerald mines in Egypt shifted from the Roman Empire to the Blemmyes during the Early Middle Ages, archaeologists have found.
Medieval Academy of America begins its conference and announces book awards
The Medieval Academy of America, one of the largest associations in the field of medieval studies, has started its annual meeting. Taking place in Charlottesville, Virginia, it is using a hybrid format with the conference being both in-person and online.
Three medieval church bells donated to the National Museum of Ireland
Three fifteenth-century bronze bells which once hung at St Mary’s Abbey Church near Dublin have been donated to the National Museum of Ireland.
Medieval Zanzibar’s environment damaged by urban growth, study finds
Humanity’s impact on the environment is often framed in the context of the post-industrial era but new archaeological research reveals how intensive land use by a medieval East African population altered their natural habitat forever.
Document from the Hundred Years’ War goes on sale for $75,000
A letter from the year 1415 detailing events during the Hundred Years’ War just before the Battle of Agincourt is going on the market for $75,000.
Fourth-century amphitheater discovered in Switzerland
Archaeologists in Switzerland have discovered the remains of a Roman amphitheater, which they believe dates to the fourth century AD.
New study aims to better understand Viking weapons
A team of researchers will be studying the chemical make-up of iron artefacts from the Viking age aims to uncover new insights into where they came from and better understand their use in early medieval warfare.
Historian discovers Marco Polo had another daughter
It is well-known that Marco Polo had three daughters after he returned from travels across Asia. Now, a document discovered in the States Archives of Venice has revealed another daughter named Agnese Polo, who was born before Marco’s marriage to Donata Badoer.