This article looks at 10 technologies from the Dark Ages (which the article defines as 400 AD to 1500 AD) that have had profound effects on humanity. It is a great reminder of where these basics of modern life came from:

Top 10 Inventions of the Middle Ages

The list includes:
1) The Heavy plough
2) Tidal Mills
3) Hourglass
4) Blast furnace
5) Liquor
6) Mechanical clocks
7) Eyeglasses
8 ) Spinning wheel
9) Quarantine
10) Printing press

Looking at the list, “Tidal Mills” stands out. It is surprising we don’t see more of that today at a larger scale.

There are so many other things invented or perfected during the Dark Ages. So let’s add to the list:

11) The Cannon (1350 AD), which eventually morphed into the…

12) Hand cannon, AKA the gun. The flintlock didn’t appear until 1550 or so, but the matchlock was available in the Dark Ages. See How Flintlock Guns Work for details.

13) The fact that Christopher Columbus died in 1506 demonstrates that the idea of big, trans-oceanic sailing ships are a product of the Dark Ages, as is…

14) The compass and

15) The tools and techniques of celestial navigation

Tools of war include:

16) Suits of armor
17) Swords
18) Chainmail
19) The longbow
20) The catapult, trebuchet and other siege weapons

Building technology, including:

21) Cathedral
22) Castles
23) Post and beam construction

Crafts such as:

24) Blacksmithing
25) Coopering (barrels)
26) Shoemaking
27) Masonry
28) Glass making
29) Chandlery

What else?

See also:

- High Tech from the Dark Ages

- How Castles Work

- How Flintlock Guns Work

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