Beating the heat: Handheld fans in medieval China
The handheld fan has been used as a means to keep cool since time immemorial. But in medieval China, this was just one of its many functions.
Unexpected delivery: Viking jewellery given to Norwegian museum
Archaeologists at the Museum of Archaeology at the University of Stavanger could hardly believe their eyes when dress accessories typical of a Viking Age woman was delivered to the museum. Now the archaeologists may have traced the origin of the jewellery.
Biocodicology and Birth Girdles with Sarah Fiddyment
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Dr. Sarah Fiddyment about a mind-blowingly simple way of collecting biological information from parchment, what it can tell us, and what it reveals about how a late medieval birth girdle was used.
Paradise Bejewelled: The Gems of Dante’s Divine Comedy
Dante’s writings reveal some hidden talents, such as his in-depth knowledge of gems.
Paper Past and Paper Future
The arrival of paper in medieval Europe also heralded an era of technological innovation and evolution. Drawing on extensive research in Cambridge collections and beyond, Orietta Da Rold will consider the significance of this material as a commodity and particularly as the stuff of which books are made. These lectures are about the stories that medieval paper can tell.
How to Guard Your Tang Dynasty Tomb
Let us delve into the surprisingly colorful and cute world of Tang dynasty ‘tomb guardians’.
Medieval Badges with Ann Marie Rasmussen
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Ann Marie Rasmussen about medieval badges, how they were made and used, and who was wearing them.
‘Paper is Deynty’: The Significance of Paper in the Paston Letters
The Paston family’s letters and network of acquaintances show that paper had made the transition from being a technological novelty to becoming a familiar tool, an essential instrument in everyday life.
Locusts: an apocalyptic iconographical representation of the medieval warhorse
I’m really happy to bring you this talk about the Biblical locusts from the Book of Revelations and their apocalyptic and iconographical connections to the medieval warhorse.
Ritual Artifacts and Ceremony with Lucy Dean – Part 2
The second part of Kate Buchanan’s discussion with Lucy Dean on material culture and ritual objects in coronation ceremonies in medieval Scotland.
Cursed blades and dark swords in myth and fantasy
Dark and cursed blades are found throughout popular culture and fantasy; join Dr Lillian Cespedes to explore their roots in history, mythology and why they have become so popular.
Ritual Artifacts and Ceremony with Lucy Dean – Part 1
On this episode of Scotichronicast, Kate Buchanan is joined by Lucy Dean to discuss Lucy’s research on material culture and ritual objects in coronation ceremonies in medieval Scotland.
The intriguing world of medieval Chinese ceramic pillows
Pre-modern Chinese pillows were made of hard materials like ceramics and possessed a surprising range of functions beyond simply acting as a headrest.
Writing of the Ultimate CV: A Death Ritual in Medieval China
Examines the life of a prematurely deceased 20-year through her epitaph, created in China in the year 518 CE, and discover how the craftsmanship and aesthetic are passed on in modern Chinese culture with a veteran tombstone engraver.
The materiality of Byzantine objects, with Elizabeth Dospěl Williams
A conversation with Elizabeth Dospěl Williams on how people in Byzantium experienced the materiality of the objects they used, especially jewelry and textiles. We look at some of those objects together, discuss their qualities, and situate our engagement with material culture in broader discussions of historical theory.
When sheepskin was an anti-fraud device
Lawyers used sheepskin as anti-fraud device for hundreds of years to stop fraudsters pulling the wool over people’s eyes, study shows
Medieval ‘birthing girdle’ parchment was worn during labour, study suggests
Scientists have used emerging proteomic techniques to find traces of ancient vaginal fluid, honey and milk on a rare manuscript from the late 15th century.
Ivory, Copper, and the Island of Gold: Medieval trade between France and West Africa
Discussing the development of trade networks linking medieval Europe and western Africa, exploring the important role played by Africa in the medieval world system of Europe.
What to get for a medieval baby shower
As any parent who’s ever tried to travel with a baby will know, babies require a fair bit of stuff to keep them safe, happy, and comfortable.
Sixteenth-century drug jar acquired by the British Museum
The British Museum has acquired a drug jar dating back to the early sixteenth century. It was donated to the public through the Cultural Gifts Scheme set up by the British government.
What X-rays reveal about 16th century armour from the Mary Rose
Cutting-edge X-ray technology has allowed University of Warwick scientists to analyse the armour worn by the crew of the Mary Rose, a sixteenth century English warship.
The spur goad from Skegrie in Scania, Sweden
The present paper focuses on a small metal artefact discovered in 2008 during archaeological excavations that preceded the construction of the E6 road leading from Trelleborg to Vellinge in Scania, Sweden.
Byzantine Jewellery: The Evidence from Byzantine Legal Documents
In the field of Byzantine jewellery studies the usefulness of this approach was demonstrated, over 20 years ago, by the work of Hetherington on the ownership and distribution of Byzantine enamels.
“Making Many Books”: Books as Artefacts in the Medieval Islamicate World
This lecture discusses the material aspect of the production and consumption of books as manifested mainly in book lists from the Geniza.