Medieval Chinese Poems Reveal Decline of Endangered Porpoise
A team of conservation researchers is turning to an unexpected source to track the decline of one of the world’s most endangered animals:…
Medieval Alchemists Were Right! You Can Turn Lead into Gold
Scientists at CERN have achieved what medieval alchemists once dreamed of by transforming lead into gold using high-energy collisions at the Large Hadron Collider.
Symbols and Signs: Getty Exhibition Explores Medieval Manuscript Codes
The Getty Museum’s new exhibition, Symbols and Signs: Decoding Medieval Manuscripts, explores the visual and textual codes used by medieval scribes and artists. On view May 20 to August 10, 2025.
Medieval England’s Road Network Mapped Using the Gough Map
A new study uses the Gough Map to reconstruct medieval England’s road network, revealing how Roman routes shaped travel for centuries.
What Ancient DNA Reveals About the Medieval Population of the Low Countries
A new DNA study reveals that the medieval male population of the Low Countries remained remarkably stable over 1,500 years, with local lineages shaped more by genetic drift and patrilocal traditions than by large-scale migration.
775 and the Making of Westphalia: Medieval Manuscript Featured in Paderborn
A 9th-century manuscript containing the first mention of “Westphalia” will soon be on display in Paderborn as part of a major anniversary exhibition exploring the medieval origins of the region.
National Gallery Acquires Mysterious Northern Renaissance Masterpiece
The National Gallery has acquired a mysterious and richly detailed Northern Renaissance altarpiece from around 1510. Featuring saints, angels, dragons, and eccentric iconography, the anonymous masterpiece has not been seen publicly since 1960.
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Was Edited to Favour Harold, Study Finds
New research reveals that key entries in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle were revised after 1066 to support Harold Godwinson’s claim to the throne—while omitting events that could have undermined it.
Vikings and Violence: What Bones Reveal About Norway and Denmark
New research reveals stark differences in Viking violence between Norway and Denmark, uncovering patterns of brutal deaths, executions, and weapon use through the study of ancient bones and grave goods.
Medieval Inscriptions in Jerusalem’s Cenacle Reveal Diversity of Pilgrimage
Researchers have uncovered medieval inscriptions in the Cenacle, the Room of the Last Supper in Jerusalem, revealing a diverse community of pilgrims from Austria, Armenia, Syria, and beyond.
Historian Uncovers Unusual Rewards for Victory in Late Medieval Spain
In 1483, Queen Isabel I and King Fernando of Castile granted royal garments as perpetual rewards for battlefield victories. A new study uncovers how these unusual gifts became lasting symbols of favour, power, and memory in late medieval Spain.
Why the First Polish State Collapsed: An Environmental and Political Breakdown
A new study uncovers why Poland’s first kingdom—the Piast state—collapsed so quickly, linking slave trade wealth, ecological intensification, and political fragility. Archaeology, pollen records, and coin hoards reveal the state’s rapid rise—and sudden unraveling.
Scribes, Not Just Authors: New Study Uncovers Editorial Brilliance in Medieval Syriac Manuscripts
A new study analyzes nearly 1,000 Syriac manuscripts using digital tools to reveal how scribes shaped literary culture through excerpting—introducing a new metric, Excerpts Per Manuscript (EPM), to map editorial practices across time and genre.
Medieval Bible Reveals Secrets of Parchment-Making, Study Finds
A new study reveals how the skins used to make the 13th-century Hamburg Bible preserve scars, stitches, and even signatures from medieval parchment-makers—offering a detailed look at manuscript production through the lens of biocodicology.
How Robots and Drones Could Help Save Medieval Cathedrals
Forty years after a fire damaged York Minster, new technology like robot dogs and drones is being tested to protect medieval buildings from future disasters.
Lost for Decades, a Medieval Madonna and Child Returns in Stunning Restoration
A 15th-century stucco Madonna and Child, hidden for over 70 years, has undergone a dramatic restoration in Florence. Once discoloured and forgotten, the sculpture now reveals its original colours and exquisite detail.
Medieval Manx Crosses Return to Jurby Church on the Isle of Man
Two early medieval Manx Crosses have been rediscovered and returned to Jurby Church on the Isle of Man, now displayed in a specially designed cabinet. The church also features new accessibility improvements and exhibitions celebrating its long history.
Tudor Wall Paintings Uncovered in Northern England Lodge
Rare 16th-century wall paintings have been uncovered at The Ashes, a former Tudor hunting lodge located in what was once Inglewood Forest, near…
Conservation Work Begins at St Oswald’s Priory, Believed Burial Site of Æthelflæd
Efforts are now underway to preserve and enhance St Oswald’s Priory in Gloucester, England—a historic site believed to be the final resting place…
Medieval Settlement Unearthed in Germany Reveals Rare Sword Belt Fitting
Archaeologists in Paderborn, Germany, have uncovered an early medieval settlement beneath a field once thought to hold Bronze Age graves—revealing pit houses, irrigation systems, and a rare Carolingian-era sword belt fitting.
Medieval Bathhouse Discovered in Spain
Archaeologists in Orihuela, Spain, have uncovered an 11th-century Arab bathhouse beneath the Rubalcava Palace garden. The well-preserved remains shed light on the city’s Andalusian past and will be conserved for future public display.
Medieval City Had Sophisticated Sanitation System Unmatched for Centuries, Study Finds
Medieval Córdoba built a sewer system so advanced it stayed in use for centuries. A new study reveals how the city’s infrastructure, legal oversight, and community cooperation created one of the most sophisticated sanitation systems of the Middle Ages.
Medieval Manuscripts Were Bound in Seal Skin, New Study Finds
New research reveals that Cistercian manuscripts from the 12th and 13th centuries were bound in seal skin sourced from Scandinavia and Greenland, uncovering unexpected links between monastic book production and Norse trade networks.
Icebergs, Iceland, and the Fall of Rome: New Evidence Reveals the Impact of a Medieval Climate Crisis
New research reveals that icebergs from Greenland reached Iceland during the 6th–7th centuries, offering fresh insight into the Late Antique Little Ice Age—and how climate change may have shaped the post-Roman world.
