middle ages

Why Braveheart Has Been Called One Of Hollywood’s Most Historically Inaccurate Films

Mel Gibson's 1995 film follows the story of 13th-century figure William Wallace and his fight for Scottish independence, but everything from the costumes to its portrayal of the battle that secured Wallace's spot in history books has faced criticism.

By Marco Margaritoff • Apr 23, 2026

Why Braveheart Has Been Called One Of Hollywood’s Most Historically Inaccurate Films

Mel Gibson's 1995 film follows the story of 13th-century figure William Wallace and his fight for Scottish independence, but everything from the costumes to its portrayal of the battle that secured Wallace's spot in history books has faced criticism.

By Marco Margaritoff • April 23, 2026

Discover The Truly Grim History Behind The Fairy Tale Of Hansel And Gretel

When a great famine struck Europe in 1314, mothers abandoned their children and in some cases, even ate them. Scholars believe that these tragedies gave birth to the story of Hansel and Gretel.

By Joseph Williams • Apr 8, 2026

Discover The Truly Grim History Behind The Fairy Tale Of Hansel And Gretel

When a great famine struck Europe in 1314, mothers abandoned their children and in some cases, even ate them. Scholars believe that these tragedies gave birth to the story of Hansel and Gretel.

By Joseph Williams • April 8, 2026

9 Interesting Historical Events You Never Learned About In School

From the unexplained explosion that flattened a Russian forest to the horribly botched rehearsal for D-Day, these are some of history's most interesting events.

By Katie Serena • Apr 8, 2026

9 Interesting Historical Events You Never Learned About In School

From the unexplained explosion that flattened a Russian forest to the horribly botched rehearsal for D-Day, these are some of history's most interesting events.

By Katie Serena • April 8, 2026

The Pear Of Anguish And Its Alleged Use As A Torture Device In Early Modern Europe

A rumored torture device developed in 17th-century Europe, the pear of anguish combined sexual violation and horrifying physical pain, making it one of history's most brutal instruments of agony.

By Wyatt Redd • Apr 6, 2026

The Pear Of Anguish And Its Alleged Use As A Torture Device In Early Modern Europe

A rumored torture device developed in 17th-century Europe, the pear of anguish combined sexual violation and horrifying physical pain, making it one of history's most brutal instruments of agony.

By Wyatt Redd • April 6, 2026

What Happens When We Die? What It Feels Like, What Happens To Your Body, And More

No one knows what happens when we die, but here's what experts have gleaned from history and some near-death survivors who said they glimpsed the other side.

By Hannah McKennett • Apr 5, 2026

What Happens When We Die? What It Feels Like, What Happens To Your Body, And More

No one knows what happens when we die, but here's what experts have gleaned from history and some near-death survivors who said they glimpsed the other side.

By Hannah McKennett • April 5, 2026

Inside The Erfurt Latrine Disaster Of 1184, When 60 Nobles Drowned In Excrement

In July 1184, a group of European nobles gathered in a church to settle a land dispute when the floor suddenly collapsed under their weight — sending them into a cesspool below.

By Natasha Ishak • Apr 3, 2026

Inside The Erfurt Latrine Disaster Of 1184, When 60 Nobles Drowned In Excrement

In July 1184, a group of European nobles gathered in a church to settle a land dispute when the floor suddenly collapsed under their weight — sending them into a cesspool below.

By Natasha Ishak • April 3, 2026

The Remains Of A Medieval Gate With Two Imposing Guard Towers Were Just Found Under The Dutch Houses Of Parliament

Renovations at the Binnenhof in The Hague revealed the ruins of a gate called the Spuipoort that was built some 700 years ago as part of a defensive network surrounding this government complex.

By Cara Johnson • Mar 31, 2026

News

The Remains Of A Medieval Gate With Two Imposing Guard Towers Were Just Found Under The Dutch Houses Of Parliament

Renovations at the Binnenhof in The Hague revealed the ruins of a gate called the Spuipoort that was built some 700 years ago as part of a defensive network surrounding this government complex.

By Cara Johnson • March 31, 2026

Archaeologists In Germany May Have Just Identified The Oldest Handgun Ever Found In Europe

The bronze fragments of this medieval weapon appear to date back to 1390, which would make it almost a decade older than the earliest-known handgun up to now.

By Kaleena Fraga • Mar 24, 2026

News

Archaeologists In Germany May Have Just Identified The Oldest Handgun Ever Found In Europe

The bronze fragments of this medieval weapon appear to date back to 1390, which would make it almost a decade older than the earliest-known handgun up to now.

By Kaleena Fraga • March 24, 2026

The Disturbing Practice Of Chinese Water Torture — And How It Drove Victims Insane

A centuries-old interrogation method, Chinese water torture was actually invented far from Asia and eventually evolved into far crueler forms of punishment.

By Marco Margaritoff • Mar 23, 2026

The Disturbing Practice Of Chinese Water Torture — And How It Drove Victims Insane

A centuries-old interrogation method, Chinese water torture was actually invented far from Asia and eventually evolved into far crueler forms of punishment.

By Marco Margaritoff • March 23, 2026

Archaeologists In Peru Unearth The Single Largest Child Sacrifice Site In The World

Before the Inca conquered the Chimú, the coastal Peruvian civilization built the largest mud-brick city in the world. They also partook in the ritualistic mass sacrifice of children.

By Marco Margaritoff • Mar 20, 2026

News

Archaeologists In Peru Unearth The Single Largest Child Sacrifice Site In The World

Before the Inca conquered the Chimú, the coastal Peruvian civilization built the largest mud-brick city in the world. They also partook in the ritualistic mass sacrifice of children.

By Marco Margaritoff • March 20, 2026

New Analysis Just Disproved The Claim That 1 In 200 Men Alive Today Are Descendants Of Genghis Khan

It's commonly believed that as many as one in 200 men alive today are descended from Genghis Khan, but a recent DNA study found that the Mongol ruler's lineage may not be quite so extensive.

By Cara Johnson • Mar 10, 2026

News

New Analysis Just Disproved The Claim That 1 In 200 Men Alive Today Are Descendants Of Genghis Khan

It's commonly believed that as many as one in 200 men alive today are descended from Genghis Khan, but a recent DNA study found that the Mongol ruler's lineage may not be quite so extensive.

By Cara Johnson • March 10, 2026

An Archaeology Student Swimming In The Mediterranean Just Happened Upon A Crusader’s Sword From The 12th Century

Shlomi Katzin found this three-foot blade in the seabed just offshore at Israel's Dor Beach — not far from where he preivously found another Crusader's sword in 2021.

By Kaleena Fraga • Mar 6, 2026

News

An Archaeology Student Swimming In The Mediterranean Just Happened Upon A Crusader’s Sword From The 12th Century

Shlomi Katzin found this three-foot blade in the seabed just offshore at Israel's Dor Beach — not far from where he preivously found another Crusader's sword in 2021.

By Kaleena Fraga • March 6, 2026