Medieval Cup Could Fetch $5 Million at Auction
A rare 11th–12th century Kiddush cup from medieval Khorasan—inscribed in Hebrew and Arabic—will be auctioned by Sotheby’s with an estimate of $3–5 million.
New Study Links Huns to Xiongnu Through DNA Evidence
New DNA research has uncovered a direct genetic link between some European Huns and the elite of the earlier Xiongnu Empire, a powerful nomadic state from the Mongolian steppe. The findings challenge long-standing debates on the Huns’ origins, revealing a complex web of ancestry and migration across Eurasia.
Shadow Empires, with Thomas Barfield – Byzantium & Friends, Episode 124
A conversation with Thomas Barfield about a distinctive category of empires that he has proposed in a new book, Shadow Empires: An Alternative Imperial History.
Ibn Sina and Biruni with S. Frederick Starr – The Medieval Podcast, Episode 266
Experimenting, translating, and philosophizing about physics and metaphysics, biology and geology, two great thinkers from Central Asia stand out both for their achievements, and their completely opposite points of view. This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with S. Frederick Starr about the work and the lives of Ibn Sina (aka Avicenna) and Biruni, their contributions to science and culture, and the reason they outright despised each other.
Two medieval cities discovered in the mountains of Central Asia
The first-ever use of drone-based lidar technology in Central Asia has allowed archaeologists to uncover two significant medieval trade cities in Uzbekistan’s mountainous…
Afghanistan: A Forgotten Medieval Kingdom
Uncover the history of Afghanistan’s forgotten medieval kingdom, written about in a 14th-century chronicle but lost to time. Learn how this kingdom, ruled by a Kurdish dynasty, resisted Mongol dominance before fading from the historical record.
New Medieval Books: Raiders, Rulers, and Traders
A sweeping history from prehistoric times to the 20th century, this book examines how the horse helped shaped civilization along the Eurasian Steppe. Several chapters focus on medieval empires, including the Turks, Mongols and Timurids.
New Medieval Books: Empire in the Western Ocean
This book chronicles the rise of the Ming Dynasty and their creation of a formidable naval power that extended far beyond China’s shores, reaching deep into the Indian Ocean.
Elite Grave from Medieval Mongolia Uncovered
Archaeologists in Mongolia have unearthed an elite grave that sheds light on a little-known era before the rise of the Mongol Empire. This extraordinary find offers a rare glimpse into the lives of powerful individuals navigating political upheaval and shifting alliances on the medieval steppe.
The Royal Red Tents: A Symbol of Power in Medieval Afghan History
Scarlet pavilions once stood as vivid symbols of medieval kingship, where the color red signified royal power and ancient traditions. Dive into the story of how these iconic tents shaped and reflected the authority of Afghan rulers in a medieval world.
Betrayal at the Banquet: A Forgotten Afghan Tragedy
Have you ever heard of a banquet ending in massacre? Dive into the forgotten story of betrayal and revenge that unfolded centuries ago in medieval Afghanistan.
Early Medieval Writings in South Asia to be Explored
An exciting new project aims to delve into early medieval writings in South Asia, offering fresh insights into a pivotal historical period. This groundbreaking research will reveal long-forgotten aspects of the region’s past.
How the Borders within Asia changed during the Middle Ages
The Middle Ages would see the rise and fall of many states, and almost constantly changing borders in any region. These videos show Asia during the medieval period, revealing how its empires and states came and went over years, decades and centuries.
New Medieval Books: Across the Green Sea
Examines the connections – commercial and cultural – between various communities and peoples around the western half of the Indian Ocean. There would be much competition in this maritime world, from local players as well as from European and Ottoman powers.
New Medieval Books: Tajikistan’s National Epics
Here are translations of two works by a Tajik historian – the first deals with Al-Muqanna, an 8th-century military leader who rebelled against the Abbasid Caliphate, and the other is on Temur Malik, who fought against the Mongols in the 13th century. Both are important figures in medieval Central Asian history.
New Medieval Books: From Genghis Khan to Tamerlane
A look at how the peoples and states of Central Asia and Persia coped with the Mongol invasions and conquests, ranging from the Ilkhanate to the Timurids. Includes an in-depth examination of the warlord Timur and his impact on the region.
New Medieval Books: The King’s Road
‘A Bottom-Up History of Diplomacy’ along the Silk Road between China and Central Asia, this book focuses on the years 850 to 1000. It aims to show the Silk Road was just as important a route for envoys as it was for merchants.
Ancient DNA reveals a multiethnic empire on the Steppe
Eurasia’s ancient and medieval history has seen several empires emerging out of the Steppe. A new study explores the rise of the Xiongnu, who foreshadowed the coming of the Huns and the Mongols.
Medieval earthquakes brought this boulder down on Nepalese town, study finds
A massive boulder weighing 300 tons can be found in Pokhara, the second-largest city in Nepal. A study shows how this and other huge debris deposits came down on this area during catastrophic medieval earthquakes.
Early medieval saddle discovered in Mongolia
The team’s radiocarbon dating pins the artifact to roughly around the year 420 AD, making it one of the earliest known frame saddles in the world.
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.
Mobile empire-building: Babur’s campaigns against the Afghans
By Timur Khan The Baburnama, the autobiography of Zahir al-Din ‘Babur’ (d. 1530), is extremely rich in personal reflections, observations, and details about…
The Baburnama and Afghan history
In 1526, Zahiruddin Muhammad ‘Babur’ (d. 1530) established his rule over a swath of northern India and thus created what most readers will know as the Mughal dynasty, which after some early fits and starts would rule an immense, rich, and powerful empire until the 18th century, and remain the nominal rulers of most of the subcontinent until 1858.
The Mongol Invasions of Japan
In the thirteenth century, aided by suicidal courage, remarkable skill, and unbelievable luck, the samurai dared to resist the Mongol steamroller – and lived to tell the tale.
