A recent study by a team of Danish-Canadian scientists rules out cold weather as the reason that the Vikings abandoned their settlements in Greenland in the 15th century. When cold destroyed crops, say the experts, the settlers just changed their diets to seal meat.

On July 30, 2012, a gang of thieves in garb robbed organisers of the Medievales Europeennes de Bitche, one of the largest medieval festivals in France. The gang got away with 20,000 euros (US$25,000).

In the 1970s, children playing in the shed of a Queensland, Australia cattle station happened upon a brass quadrant marked with the badge of King Richard II. Now the instrument is scheduled to be auctioned with an estimated price tag of US$233,000-$311,000. (photo)

The word translated from New Testament Greek as "crucifixion" may more accurately mean something like "suspension," says Gunnar Samuelsson, a Swedish theologian and researcher who describes himself as a "boring pastor."

An anonymous donor has given to the University of California, Riverside, a book and manuscript collection oriented toward medieval history and valued at almost US$100K.

Prague Castle in the Czech Republic is the largest castle in the world. Covering acres of ground, the castle was recently the focus of several reports for ABC's Good Morning America.

Israeli archaeologist Doron Ben-Ami is excited about the discovery of a hoard of 7th century coins found concealed in a Jerusalem wall. The coins, which bear the likeness of Byzantine emperor Heraclius, were most likely hidden to keep them from invading Persians.

A medieval educational demo for elementary school students in Brisbane, Australia turned bloody when one of the re-enactors was slightly injured by a rapier blade.

ABC News takes a new look at one of the oldest controversies of the Catholic Church: Pope Joan, a 9th century woman who, according to legend, disguised herself as a man to serve as Pope.

An explosion at the Intertapes Polymer Group duct tape factory in Columbia, South Carolina, killed one employee and shook houses a mile away.

A mural in the Italian town of Massa Marittima, dating to the 13th century CE, was thought to be a fertility symbol but is now believed to be a work of political propaganda. (PG-13)

A new genetic study places the origins of Romany gypsies as India rather than Egypt as previously believed.

90 copper coins, washed up from London's Thames River, have stumped archaeologists.

A controversial program based on Dan Brown's best-selling book, "The Da Vinci Code" will air on ABC News November 3, 2003.

A huge amphitheatre, built for gladitorial combat, has been discovered near Cordoba in southern Spain.

Two marble statues by sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini have been restored to their original bare-breasted beauty.