An international team of scientists has uncovered evidence indicating that a significant cooling period, the Late Antique Little Ice Age, which began around 540 AD, may have contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire. By tracing unusual rocks found in Iceland back to Greenland, researchers suggest these were transported by icebergs, indicating volcanic eruptions may have triggered this cooling phase. This study enhances theories around environmental factors influencing migrations and societal shifts in post-Roman Europe, reshaping historical narratives about the empire's decline.
This short-lived but intense cooling period began around 540 AD and lasted for up to three centuries, potentially reshaping Europe post-Roman Empire.
Historians have long debated the causes behind the Roman Empire's decline, including economic instability and invasions; this research emphasizes the role of environmental upheaval.
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