- The majority of people lived in rural areas and were peasants, working the land mainly for subsistence farming.
- Families were large and often multigenerational, living together in small, crowded homes.
- Social structure was hierarchical, with a small ruling elite, including kings and nobles, dominating over the common peasants and serfs.
- Daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and manual labor took up most of the day.
- Life expectancy was low due to limited medical knowledge and frequent pandemics.
Food and Diet:
- Diets were largely based on local produce and livestock.
- Bread made from grains like wheat or barley was a staple food.
- Meat, usually pork or chicken, was available to some but was often reserved for special occasions.
- Vegetables and fruits were grown and preserved through salting, smoking, or pickling.
Technology and Transportation:
- Technology was limited, with simple tools used for farming, building, and household tasks.
- Transportation was mainly by foot or horseback.
- Ships powered by sails and oars enabled some maritime trade.
Education:
- Only a small number of privileged people, usually from noble families, had access to education.
- Religious institutions and monasteries served as centers of learning and education.
Medicine:
- Medical knowledge was limited, and treatments often relied on traditional practices and herbal remedies.
- Bloodletting, leeching, and cauterization were common medical practices.
Religion:
- Christianity was the dominant religion in the West, while Islam was spreading rapidly in the East.
- Religious rituals, festivals, and pilgrimages shaped the lives of many.
Art and Culture:
- Art and culture often reflected religious themes and were influenced by the traditions of the Roman and Byzantine empires.
- Music, poetry, and storytelling were important forms of entertainment.
Overall, life in the 8th century was characterized by a largely agrarian lifestyle, limited technology, reliance on manual labor, and a social structure heavily influenced by religion and the feudal system.