News

Gladiators were regarded as bloodthirsty killers – but what is the reality behind this? A look at historical sources dispels common myths.

How did the Vikings build an 83-metre-long hall – without a single iron nail? The secret lies in a fascinating joining technique that continues to impress to this day.

Chiton, peplos, himation: how did the ancient Greeks really dress? We reveal what fabrics revealed about social standing and status – and how little tailoring was required.

Immerse yourself in the world of historical martial arts: from bow-making to sword fighting – we’ll show you how to get started with HEMA.

Thousands of years ago, people were already performing successful operations – without anaesthesia or antibiotics. How ancient healers went about this, and what archaeological finds reveal about it.

Viking names such as ‘Nose-Björn’ sound strange – but there’s a fascinating story behind them. We reveal the meaning behind these quirky nicknames from the Viking Age.

Build your own authentic medieval cooking stations – but do it safely! We’ll show you how it’s done and what you need to bear in mind.

Fire without a lighter – how did the Vikings do it? We explain how flint, a fire striker and tinder work together – with a solid historical basis and practical explanations.

The Vikings valued their blades not only as weapons, but as works of art. The key: Damascus steel – and the fascinating interplay of fire, folds and iron.

Rats in the dock, pigs before the judge: animal trials were a matter of the utmost seriousness in the Middle Ages. How such proceedings unfolded and what lay behind them.