Medieval Archaeology
GreatArchaeology» Medieval archaeology

The term "medieval" is generally applied to European history. But every now and then it's good to remember that fascinating things were going on elsewhere during the Middle Ages. One such "elsewhere" is the continent of Africa, where some splendid civilizations thrived. And one such civilization left behind some mysterious monuments.

The study of humankind through its material culture, specializing in the period of the European Middle Ages. At its broadest, the period stretches from the 5th to the 16th century CE and refers to post-Roman but pre modern remains. The period covers the commotion caused by the fall of the Medival archaeology Roman Empire and cultures such as the Vikings, Saxons and Franks..



On the north bank of the river Gambia stands an impressive concentration of stone circles, the likes of which are not seen in such numbers anywhere else in the world. We may never know who put them there or what purpose they served, but you can find out what we do know about them in this informative site by Momodou Camara.

Africa in the Middle Ages

Recent research has given us a greater understanding of Africa's medieval past. At various times, some African societies equalled or surpassed European nations in culture, education and wealth.

Throughout the Middle Ages, Islam spread to most cultures in Africa. These sties examine Islam and other religions and myths in Africa in medieval times.

These sites examine various kingdoms, empires and other locations of interest in Africa during the Middle Ages.

Individuals and cultural groups of interest who made an impact on Africa in the Middle Ages.

Africa in the Middle Ages Contains Following Chapter:


Medieval History:

The Medieval History page covers mainly European history from the 4th to 16th centuries. We cover all aspects of medieval life, from the life of the landless serf, through to the luxurious existence of members of the European royal families. Knights, saints, heroes and villains all feature on these pages.

The Middle Ages covers an enormous period ranging from the Roman Emperor Constantine's conversion to Christianity in 313 C.E., through the early medieval period known as the Dark Ages, to Martin Luther's launching of the Protestant Reformation in 1517.

Battles and tournaments, feasts and festivals are all here, making up an exciting picture of the era we know as the Middle Ages.

Some Important Medival Archaeology History:

Codpieces And Syphilis In The Middle Ages

However there is a theory that codpieces also protected men suffering from syphilis, and the codpiece can be linked with the syphilis epidemic of the 16th century.



The English Town of Knaresborough During Medieval Times

The medieval town of Knaresborough in North Yorkshire, England, is a historic place with an ancient castle, old pubs, the cave of reputed prophetess Mother Shipton and a fifteenth-century cave.




The Use of the Ass, Mule and Horse in Medieval Travel

Whether travelling singly, or in a group, the medieval traveller often used pack animals either to carry luggage, or to ride upon.In the Middle Ages, the ass, mule and horse were used on journeys, and each of these animals had its own benefits and disadvantages.




Coping with the Pen: Women Writers of the Dark Ages

Medieval women picked up their pens for many reasons. Among the most important was their need to cope with physical, political and emotional hardships.

Areas of expertise

The study of medieval archaeology often concentrate on some kinds of settlement pattern.

Rural settlements and landscapes

From modern time villages, Pattern of medieval rural settlements are often quite different. In terms of architecture, outline of the settlements and social structure are always true. Medieval towns In the Middle Ages, there is a broad spectrum of pre-urban and urban settlements (e.g. early medieval trading places at the Northern Sea and the Baltic Sea, former Roman cities and town foundations of the late Middle Ages). In urban archaeology, important field of research in still existing towns, which is determeined by rescue archaeology.

Medieval monasteries The Dissolution of the Monasteries in the United Kingdom left many monastic sites were abandoned. Where monasteries have survived or been converted for other uses, "Buildings archaeology" has also been applied to study their history, where monasteries have survived or converted for other uses. Medieval monasteries often held large estates and the study of monastic landscapes is an area of specialised research.

Medival Archaeology Research Video:



Books on the Medival Archaeology:

Building the Medieval World

Some of the great and lasting achievements of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance are the architectural wonders of soaring cathedrals and grand castles and palaces.



Oxford Encyclopedia of Medieval Warfare and Military Technology

From the Viking invasions to the Crusades to the Hundred Years War, wars were crucial agents of change in medieval Europe.




Viking Age Archaeology

Viking raids, and the subsequent Scandinavian settlements in the ninth and tenth centuries, had a major effect on many parts of Britain and Ireland.

Rich Resources over the web on Australian Archaeology
  • Medieval History : This site includes stories from people escaping Florence at the time of the Plague.

  • Classical and Medieval History : Contemporary reviews of scholarly works (1990 to the present) in classical studies including archaeology.