Information on MEMEFest

Making Early Medieval England as a class is hosting an event in the Wietz common on 10th Tuesday 2-5 pm. Here people will have the opportunity to view recreations, learn about practices, and try traditional cooking techniques. Everyone Welcome!

About HIST 246: Making Early Medival England

Over the span of ten weeks, students in this course weighed the material records of Early Medieval England against written sources and contemporary scholarship. In doing so, students developed a comprehensive understanding of the history of the early medieval era in what is today the isle of Britain. The study of recovered artifacts supplemented by the use of modern technology such as photogrammetry and digitization shed light on aspects of early-English lived experience that are often overlooked. Looking at the past through its material culture, provided students the opportunity to develop their understanding of an age often mischaracterized as “dark” and “barbaric.” For example, examining grave goods from places like West Stow, Spong Hill, and Sutton Hoo enabled students to enlarge their understanding of the people often referred to as the ‘Anglo Saxons’ as one that in fact was composed of many diverse ethnic groups and beliefs. Comparing graves from different periods, as well as written sources, and modern ideas better contextualizes an often misunderstood time between the fall of Rome and the coming of the Normans in 1066. This website contains examples of student work taken over the course of ten weeks. Here you will find examples of recreated material culture as well as student writing.