All articles tagged with #medieval
After decades of Franco-British diplomacy, the 11th‑century Bayeux Tapestry has arrived in London for display at the British Museum, shown flat in a climate‑controlled case and insured at about €960 million; historians prize its vivid depictions of 1066 and daily life, while scholars continue to debate certain scenes and its English origins.
Archaeologists uncovered a well-preserved, apparently abandoned medieval settlement at Am Frevelgraben in Halberstadt, Germany (likely Kühlingen), including pits, wells and a ditch system; the site shows two development phases, very few artifacts, and no signs of destruction, with radiocarbon dating planned to refine the date, while the reason for abandonment remains a mystery—though the Black Death era is suspected—and a similar deserted village was recently found in Poland.
Seventeen fragments of medieval manuscripts found in Guernsey were repurposed as notebook covers, preserving pieces of literature and documents that reveal late medieval island readers preferred French texts (and Latin ones) over English. Discovered in the Island Archives and strongroom, the fragments include works such as the rare French Griselda tale and a poem from L'Estoire de Griseldis, showing that libraries and literary culture existed on Guernsey and illustrating recycled parchment practices long before modern times. The find came via archival work by Callum Tostevin-Hall with scholars Tamara Atkin and David Rundle, transforming our understanding of Guernsey's medieval manuscript culture.
A 700-year-old skeleton (Skeleton 150) found at Stirling Castle shows extensive, high-velocity trauma consistent with being struck by a siege engine. Researchers say the fractures and skull damage, plus the context of a 1304 siege by Edward I, point to a trebuchet as the likely cause, making him a potential first recorded casualty of a trebuchet. The body was buried with seven other war casualties, and carbon dating places them in the 1300s; experts emphasize the injuries are inconsistent with accidental falls or trampling.
A 14th‑century skeleton (Skeleton 150) from Stirling Castle bears 167 fractures, including extensive skull and rib damage, suggesting death from a high‑velocity siege weapon. Carbon dating places the individual around 1300 during the Wars of Scottish Independence, with researchers noting a zigzag rib fracture pattern typical of severe trauma and identifying a siege‑engine strike as the likely cause—potentially making him the earliest known trebuchtet casualty linked to Edward I’s War Wolf.
Archaeologists reopening the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes in Barcelona opened eight medieval tombs and found 25 remains that do not match the identities historically assigned to them, including in Artau de Foces’ tomb where five individuals — two adult women and three children — were found instead of a single male. The team recovered more than 200 archaeological samples and uncovered nine individuals of later chronology in Francesca Saportella’s tomb. Queen Elisenda was buried in modest clothing; researchers have recovered about 6% of her genome, with additional DNA testing planned through 2027. The three-year project aims to illuminate medieval burial practices and Catalan society, while Elisenda’s final will—with remains to be returned to the monastery—remains honored.
Archaeologists in Paderborn, Germany recovered a 700–800-year-old leather-bound notebook preserved in damp soil inside a latrine. The Latin text on ten pages, written as a wax tablet, suggests it was used as a reusable notebook by a literate merchant to record transactions; eight pages are double-sided, and a transcription is underway.
Archaeologists in Nieuwpoort, Belgium, uncovered about 450 medieval cannonballs dating 1350–1600 AD at a construction site ahead of an administrative building; the unusually large, uniform cache suggests deliberate use as projectile weapons, and researchers plan up to two years of analysis before a final report and a potential display decision by the city.
Medieval monks managed cold climates by utilizing specific architectural features like warming rooms (calefactory) and wearing minimal winter clothing, with some monasteries having dedicated heated spaces to provide warmth during harsh winters, reflecting the importance placed on warmth for monastic life.
A metal detectorist in Essex discovered a unique medieval seal matrix featuring a Roman gemstone depicting a charioteer, dating from 1200 to 1400, which has been declared treasure and is sought after by Braintree Museum.
Archaeologists in Wales have uncovered a 6th or 7th-century burial site with predominantly female skeletons, domestic artifacts, and a possible small religious building, suggesting it was part of an early female religious community, with ongoing excavations aiming to understand more about early Christianity and community life.
Archaeologists have uncovered over 70 bodies at a medieval execution cemetery in Buckingham, dating back to the 13th century, providing rare insights into medieval society and criminal executions, with further analysis ongoing.
Archaeologists in Gdańsk, Poland, discovered a medieval tomb beneath an ice cream shop, featuring a carved limestone slab of a knight and a well-preserved skeleton, dating back to the late 13th or early 14th century, offering valuable insights into the city's medieval elite and craftsmanship.
Archaeologists in Gdańsk, Poland, discovered a 13th-century knight's tomb beneath an ice cream shop, featuring a rare carved limestone slab depicting the knight in armor, providing insights into the medieval elite of the city.
Scientists analyzed DNA from 400 medieval skeletons in Sint-Truiden, revealing insights into migration, population changes, and the presence of the plague in the 14th century, despite limited historical records. The study highlights the cosmopolitan nature of medieval societies and demonstrates how genetic research can uncover hidden chapters of history.