So what happened in the years around 540 AD?

[David B]

It seems that something did.

The start of the Dark Ages, tree ring anomolies bigger than Tambora.

Comet?

Eruption of volcano - Krakatau has been viewed as a suspect?

David B (finds himself somewhat concerned about what would happen to civilisation if a similar event were to happen today. Or even a Tambora size event.)

[jess]

Everything I've read says comets, especially based on the Chinese records of the time.

Frightening.

[Rhaedas]

I had thought it was a given at this point that Krakatoa's largest eruption was the culprit, but it seems there's still lacking evidence to definitely point the finger. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_changes_of_535-536 But as big as that eruption would have been, I don't see how it wouldn't have been.

[jess]

ok, I chatted with Hex, he says there are no archaeological papers talking about 540 AD...

You can ask him at ratpags...

[clivedurdle]

Wiki notes Islam as a possible bi-product!

[yeshi]

Avars started moving towards Europe around that time, too.

This caused second or third great movement of Eurasian peoples' groups after Hunnic etc ones.

[Matty]

Moved to history for reasons of better exposure and a more "at home" feel

[Dlx2]

Roman triremes discovered the New World and brought back cocaine.

The rest, as they say, is history.

[Lucretius III]

Roman triremes discovered the New World and brought back cocaine.

The rest, as they say, is history.

That's where you are wrong ....they were in quinqiremes :)