What did the Merovingian palace look like?

The Merovingian dynasty ruled over a large part of western Europe. Despite their importance, we know next to nothing about their living quarters. From their neighbours and successors we can learn more about what the early Frankish palace may have looked like.

Jip Barreveld • May 06, 2023

A stitch in time: in search for the daily activities of the early medieval inhabitants of Oegstgeest

Bone and antler pins and two-pointed bone rods found in Merovingian Oegstgeest had multiple functions, as revealed by archaeological microwear analysis.

Cynthia Kromotaroeno • October 28, 2022

Early medieval England in long-term perspective: the English Landscapes and Identities project

We live in the digital era, and archaeologists are increasingly engaging with 'big' data. A recent project at Oxford sought new answers about the landscapes of early medieval England from the longue durée.

Letty ten Harkel • October 14, 2022

"Horribiles vultus": race and racism in Byzantine Africa

A passage in a sixth-century epic narrative ‘On the Libyan War’ reveals the role of race and racism in defining communities in Byzantine North Africa.

Jip Barreveld • September 30, 2022

Wine trade from the Holy Land

Palestinian wines were praised and consumed across western Europe. Transport containers found in Jerusalem, likely used to carry these wines, are stored in the depot at the Faculty of Archaeology. What can these amphorae tell us about connectivity across the Mediterranean in the early Middle Ages?

Vera van Heel • May 13, 2022

Can we name a corpse? Identifying royalty in the burial record

A number of splendorous and wealthy ‘princely tombs’ from early medieval Europe have been identified with royal figures known from written sources. Can we really be sure who were buried in these tombs?

Jip Barreveld • April 15, 2022

Aqueduct warfare: Water infrastructure and sieges in post-Roman Europe

Aqueducts were impressive feats of Roman engineering which supplied cities with fresh water. In the early middle ages, however, they also posed a ‘security risk’ in siege warfare.

Jip Barreveld • June 11, 2021

Snatched by the wind: The wooden chapel of Saint Servatius in Maastricht

A wooden chapel dedicated to St. Servatius in sixth-century Maastricht has gotten a bad press. Historical and archaeological comparisons may redeem this humble shrine and illuminate the darkest years of post-Roman towns.

Jip Barreveld • December 24, 2020

Setting the early medieval world on fire

Early medieval cremation burials have long been seen as the remains of non-Christian peoples. Recent research shows this narrative does not comfortably fit the archaeology of that period.

Femke Lippok • August 07, 2020

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