In this issue

The World in the Year 800 C.E.— Europe’s “father,” Baghdad’s “great caliph,” Japan’s “Silk Road,” Afghanistan’s copper mining, Central America’s thriving city-states, Nigeria’s bronze masterpieces, China’s blast furnace breakthrough — all this and more in 800 C.E.!

'Father Of Europe'

On December 25, in the year 800, the huge nave of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome buzzed with Roman nobles, Frankish counts, and archbishops, bishops, abbots, and priests from many parts of Western Europe, all eager to witness an unprecedented event.

4 mins

Spreading The Word

Charlemagne was determined to carry out his ambitious educational and cultural agenda to reform and renew both the church and society. To achieve this goal, he issued a decree to bishops and abbots to create schools in every monastery and bishop’s residence for the sons of both serfs and freemen. He then instructed these schools to teach the boys psalms, music, math, and grammar and to provide the students with “correct Catholic books.” If new copies of the books were needed, Charlemagne decreed, “Let men of full age do the writing, with all diligence.”

2 mins

Read all stories from Dig Into History Magazine for Kids and Teens

Dig Into History Magazine for Kids and Teens Description:

Dig Into History is the magazine where history and archaeology meet for children ages 9 to 14 years. Each issue covers an individual theme with a special 10- to 12-page section that focuses on an archaeological discovery or topic. Articles are written by experts and always accompanied by word games and projects.