Archaeological excavations at the historic Battle of Manzikert battlefield (modern-day Malazgirt in Turkey), where the Seljuks defeated the Byzantine Empire in 1071, opening the gates of Anatolia, continue to reveal important discoveries. The project, which began in 2020 with support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is advancing into its second phase in 2024. […]
Medieval Archaeology
Some of the key areas excavated and analyzed by medieval archaeologists include villages and farmsteads, noble or royal manors, monastic sites, pilgrimage churches, castles and fortifications. By investigating everything from pots and pans to palaces, medieval archaeology helps shed light on changes in technology, economy, trade, dietary practices, craft industries and more during this diverse historical epoch.
Posted inClassical Archaeology, Medieval Archaeology
Man discovered a skeleton in his basement and found 38 Late Antique tombs and 10 Merovingian sarcophagi
During the winter of 2023-2024, a team of archaeologists conducted an excavation in the basement of a house in the Montconseil neighborhood of Corbeil-Essonnes (Île-de-France). This operation was prescribed by the Regional Archaeology Service and was carried out after the accidental discovery of a skeleton while the homeowner was doing renovation work in his basement. […]
Posted inMedieval Archaeology
A Large Byzantine Pilgrimage Hostel Complex Found in the Ancient City of Nessana in the Negev Desert
A team of researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is conducting excavations at the Nessana site, located in the southwestern Negev desert on the border between Israel and Egypt. This settlement, which reached its peak during the Byzantine and early Islamic periods (6th-7th centuries AD), has become a focal point for archaeologists seeking to […]
Posted inMedieval Archaeology
An Ancient Viking Shelter for Travelers Uncovered in Norway
In the heart of the rugged landscape of Hardangervidda, a vast mountainous plateau in Norway, a group of archaeologists, on foot and carrying tools, have retraced the steps of ancient travelers by exploring a historic route known as Nordmannsslepa. This investigation is part of a broader project on food culture in the Middle Ages, led […]
Posted inMedieval Archaeology
Enigmatic Rock-Cut Architecture of Zoroastrian Origin Discovered in Madagascar
An international team of researchers has made a surprising archaeological discovery in the heart of Madagascar that could rewrite the history of the island’s settlement and its connections with distant civilizations. In Teniky, a site located in the remote Isalo Massif in southern Madagascar, they have found an enigmatic rock-cut architecture that has no parallels […]
Posted inMedieval Archaeology
A Violent Community Lived in Isolation for Five Centuries in Caves on the Border Between Al-Andalus and the Christian Kingdoms
Researchers from Sweden and Spain have conducted a comprehensive archaeogenetic study of a community that lived in isolation on the border between the Christian kingdoms of the north and Al-Andalus during the Early Medieval period. This dynamic era, especially in the Iberian Peninsula, was characterized by religious competition, power struggles, and significant human mobility, shaping […]
Posted inMedieval Archaeology
Genetic Analysis Reveals Post-Roman Elites United to Form Lineages and Power Groups across Europe
Recent genetic research led by Krishna Veeramah, an associate professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University, has shed new light on the social dynamics and community formation in post-Roman Europe. This international study of ancient DNA provides vital insights into how early medieval elites in Europe, composed initially of several […]
Posted inMedieval Archaeology
The Vikings were passionate about tapestries decorated with historical scenes, and we will soon find out which ones were their favorites
Among significant viking archaeological discoveries is the Oseberg ship, one of the best-preserved Viking ships in the world, measuring 22 meters in length and 5 meters in width. This impressive vessel was discovered within one of the most famous ship burial sites from the Viking Age, known for being the most richly equipped grave from […]
Posted inMedieval Archaeology
The Remains of Bishop Teodomiro of Iria Flavia, Who Discovered the Tomb of Apostle James in the 9th Century, Identified
After centuries of debate about his existence, a team of researchers has likely identified the remains of Bishop Teodomiro of Iria Flavia, a key figure in the origins of the Camino de Santiago. Teodomiro was the one who, according to historical sources, discovered the supposed tomb of the Apostle James in Santiago de Compostela between […]
Posted inMedieval Archaeology
At the Dawn of the Mongol Empire: A Woman Found Buried with a Yellow Silk Cloak and Valuable Objects Within the Walls of a Circular Fortress
A recent archaeological discovery in Dornod Province, Mongolia, has unearthed an elite tomb dating from the pre-Mongol period, shedding new light on a historically obscure moment between the fall of the Khitan Empire and the rise of the Mongol Empire. This finding, part of the Mongolian-Israeli-American Archaeological Project, offers a fascinating glimpse into the funerary […]
