All articles tagged with #medievalhistory
Archaeologists in Norfolk, England, have discovered a unique 1,200-year-old gilded silver object that has left experts puzzled. The small, intricately designed relic, which may have been a piece of decorative jewelry, showcases the high level of craftsmanship of the time, including materials believed to be imported from Spain. Despite its beauty and apparent value, the object's original purpose remains unknown.
New research by Oxford University academics suggests that the Cerne Abbas Giant, a chalk hill figure in Dorset, was originally carved to represent Hercules and served as a muster station for West Saxon armies. Previously thought to be prehistoric or more recent, the figure was actually created in the Anglo-Saxon period. The giant was later reinterpreted by local monks in the 11th Century to associate it with Saint Eadwold, their patron saint, to align with Christian beliefs and claim the saint's relics. The findings provide a deeper understanding of the figure's historical significance and are set to be published in the journal Speculum.