Medieval and early modern literature was fascinated with the material remains of the past. Scenes involving the discovery description circulation or contemplation of archaeological objects can be found in texts ranging from hagiography to elegiac poetry from historiography to romanceacross regions and periods. This volume gathers voices to explore the ways in which these texts employ descriptions of objects from the past to produce aesthetic and literary responses to questions of historicity and the epistemological conditions of historical knowledge. The contributions toampampnbspMaterial Remains Reading the Past in Medieval and Early Modern British Literatureampampnbspexamine the understanding and experience of temporality as registered through the representation of found objects. FromampampnbspBeowulfampampnbspand King Arthur to Richard III Roger de Norton and more these essays reproduce the thrill of the archaeological find and generate new forms of historical understanding beyond the established narratives that reinforce modern forms of periodizing the Middle Ages. List of Contributors Neil Cartlidge Roberta Frank Lori Ann Garner Jonathan Gil Harris JanPeer Hartmann John Hines Naomi Howell Andrew Hui Andrew James Johnston Sarah Salih Philip Schwyzer ampampnbsp