 | Dr. Jon Kardatzke is Curator of the Museum of Ancient Treasures…an exhibition hall filled with 1,000's of rare antiquities, located in downtown Wichita. Dr Jon practiced medicine for more than 30 years in Wichita. His interest in history and archaeology began as a young boy and when he retired in 1997 he set out to fulfill a life long dream. To open a world-class museum right here in his own community. The museum's permanent collection is the result of 20 years of travel and explorations to exotic locations all over the world. The museum fills over 10,000 sq. ft. of exhibits in three halls: The Hall of the Ancients, The Hall of the Royals and The Hall of the Americas. The museum is open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Special rates and guides for group tours. It is located at 250 W. Douglas, Wichita, in the lower level Kiva Mall in the Garvey Center, north of Century II. Free parking is available. To contact Dr. Kardatzke, call (316) 263-1311; or e-mail him at, treasures@intcon.net |
History
2002-05-01 08:53:00
Why the 'dark ages?'
QUESTION: Why was the period after the crusade in 1076 AD and before the Protestant Revolution in the 1500 called the’ dark ages’?
ANSWER: The Dark Ages was a period of time in European history from 476 AD until 963 AD. The latter era from about 1000 AD to 1500 AD is referred to as the Middle Ages. The fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th Century gave rise to the Teutonic takeover of the Western Europe's Nation States. We refer to this earlier era as the Dark Ages because there was very little development in literature, Art and science or written history recorded during that time. The Eastern Roman Empire based in Byzantium (Constantinople) remained relatively intact throughout the Middle Ages.We know now that the Vikings were at the height of their culture about the time of the decline in Europe. They continued to explore the planet and conquer cultures throughout the following centuries. The warring Clans of the Asian Steps were unified under the Viking House of Rus and have become known as the Russian. The Norwegian Viking, Eric the Red discovered Labrador near Quebec late in the 10th century. His son, Leif Ericksson made it to Vineland, North America soon after. The Viking explorer, Glome made it all the way to Heavener, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Runestone State Park preserves the site of the Viking settlement, which claimed the entire Poteau Valley for the Viking Empire. The rune stone itself stands over 15 feet tall, is 12 feet wide and 2 feet thick. Inscribed upon the stone is their claim to the land, "Glome Dal - 11/11/1012" (Glome's Valley - November 11, 1012 AD).The State Park Ranger indicated that their culture thrived in Oklahoma for perhaps as long as three centuries before they were assimilated into the local native culture. Since no one from the Glome Valley ever made it back to Europe to file a land deed claim, they were forgotten in time. The rune stone marker remains in place today as proof of their claim to the land. More of these markers are being discovered around the Poteau Valley of eastern Oklahoma and in fact across many parts of North American.The current archeological model of historical time lines is a constant source of debate. Oral traditions and legends, which were once dismissed, are proven true more often than not. The Viking culture preserved their history in folktales and legends. In order to get a better picture of what was going on in the Dark Ages, we must consider Viking lore as a point of reference.
