In this lecture, we shall focus on political, social and economic processes, which characterised the transition between the Roman period and the Early Middle Ages (4th–9th c. AD). We outline the historical background and present selected sites, which allow us to discuss current research results about these centuries. These show that using the term “Dark Ages” cannot be accepted, both in terms of a lack of sources and with respect to our understanding of this period. In the lecture, we shall discuss linked aspects from the perspective of research history as well as new approaches. close