The term Dark Ages is given to this period because there is very little evidence surviving of how people lived, and therefore in the past the time has been seen as a complete collapse of civilisation. Most of the knowledge we have on this period are from later sources, some written as late as the 17th century. This opens up doubt to the accuracy of our conclusions about this time of total difference compared to the previous thousand years.

In the aftermath of the collapse of the Roman Empire, many Western nations found themselves without the authority and protection of the Roman forces. This lead to the division of power and land among different tribes or clans, the reduction in formal education and the rise in the influence of the Church.  In Britain, land was split into different kingdoms, such as Mercia, Northumbria and Scotland, each ruled by its own king and each often at war with another. The Viking invasions of the 8th century conquered many of these kingdoms. However, King Alfred the Great remained independent after a decisive victory. It is not until King Athelstan and the 10th century and the end of the Dark Ages that England became united. However, finds, such as the Staffordshire Hoard, prove that this time was productive and especially effective in the production of intricate metal works. In northern Europe (France and Germany), travelling German tribes are dominant. They destroyed many Roman buildings and pieces of art. From 600-800 these tribes were dominated by the Francs, culminating in the appointment of Charlemagne as the Holy Roman Emperor, who, by which time, controlled most of northern Europe.  After only a short dominance the Vikings overcame the Northern Franks and spread East, through Russia, opening trade with China. In southern Europe (Italy and Spain) and Northern Africa the Muslims controlled, they studied Roman works and developed their own research and ideas. While in the East, Roman art and culture continued to flourish within the Byzantium Empire and the Persian Empire dominated central Asia. Great civilisations in China and Indian were also developing. Therefore, the Dark Ages were not the classic portrayal of roaming groups of nomads and little development.