Barbarians to Angels

The narrative challenges the traditional view of the Dark Ages as a period of chaos and decline following the fall of Rome. Peter Wells, a prominent archaeologist, argues that archaeological evidence reveals a vibrant and resilient European culture that persisted despite the upheavals. He highlights the emergence of the kingdoms of Christendom in the ninth century as a continuation of this rich heritage, suggesting that the era was not as bleak as commonly portrayed, but rather a time of cultural evolution with limited written records.