The Conspiracy Theory that the Middle Ages Never Happened

Summary by Krater

This video examines the Phantom Time Hypothesis, a conspiracy theory claiming the Middle Ages never happened, and debunks it using archaeology, Roman architecture, calendars, and astronomical events.

From the video

Answers: Did the Middle Ages actually happen?

• Phantom Time Hypothesis
• Heribert Illig
• Calendars
• Julian calendar
• Gregorian calendar
• Archaeological evidence
• Roman architecture
• Astronomical dating
• Solar eclipses

What it concludes

• The Phantom Time Hypothesis claims the Middle Ages between 614 and 911 AD were invented by Otto III, Pope Sylvester II, and Constantine VII.
• The hypothesis fails because there is archaeological evidence from the period, 10th-century Western Europe has extensive Roman architecture, and astronomical events like solar eclipses match historical records.
• The Julian calendar discrepancy accumulated about 10 days rather than 13 days by 1582, leaving centuries unaccounted for by the hypothesis.
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