AI and Historical Accuracy: A Mismatch

Hello, fellow medieval military history enthusiasts,

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Recently, one of my illustrations of Hamburg’s 11th-century fortifications went viral on Facebook. A follower kindly commented: “AI has nothing on you, sir.” I was delighted by this enthusiastic response—and he is absolutely right.

Generative AI cannot create historically accurate images of pre-modern eras. This is because AI is trained using datasets compiled by people with standard knowledge and general education, rather than specialists in history or archaeology. Without the necessary expertise, AI is incapable of producing meaningful results. Alongside serious historical reconstructions, a vast amount of fantasy clichés and historically inaccurate imagery flood AI’s reference pool, corrupting the output.

To illustrate this issue, I asked Adobe’s AI Firefly to generate a photorealistic image of a Viking sword of Petersen Type R, featuring a Mammen-style decorated hilt and an appropriately inlaid blade. This is a kind of object I have personally reconstructed based on sword fragments housed at the Archäologisches Museum Hamburg.

The results Firefly provided? Absurd fantasy swords. A perfect example of the problem.

For AI to generate useful visualisations of archaeological content, every single reference image in its training dataset would have to be carefully curated and annotated by experts. This would include:

• Precise archaeological data (find sites, material composition, craftsmanship techniques, typologies)
• Contextual information (cultural affiliation, time period, function)
• Environmental references (flora, fauna, climate)
• Anthropological insights (human physiognomy, living conditions, clothing, tools, jewellery, weaponry)

Even then, interpretation remains a major challenge. Archaeologists and historians do not simply record facts; they constantly reinterpret evidence, leading to ongoing debates and ever-evolving perspectives. Teaching AI to ignore outdated reconstructions would be an enormous conceptual challenge, as it would require continual retraining and quality control. (Read about AI and psychosis here.)

If we ever reach a point where such a specialist-trained AI exists, it would inevitably become an expert tool—virtually useless to non-experts. After all, without specialist knowledge and the appropriate terminology, most users wouldn’t even know what to ask for in their prompts.

Personally, I’d be quite happy with that. With my expertise in archaeology, history, and artistic reconstruction, I would know exactly how to use it to enhance my work.

But given the cost-benefit ratio—and the notoriously exploitative nature of today’s tech giants—I don’t see this happening anytime soon.

My New Fencing Gloves

Speaking of artistic skill—some time ago, I purchased a pair of exquisitely tailored gloves from SPES Medieval Market to replace my old ones, which had faithfully served me for ten years.

I have now embellished them with embroidery and punched-out ornaments, revealing a red woollen lining underneath. The decoration is inspired by historical depictions and finds from Schleswig, while the tassels take inspiration from illustrations in MS. I.33.

You can see them in action up close in a brief video clip:

Training in Hedeby & Ribe

You are warmly invited to sign up for my special training events, which combine Viking Age close combat training with a unique living history experience.

Once again, we have the rare opportunity to train and stay in reconstructed Viking-era houses at the Wikinger Häuser Haithabu and the Ribe VikingeCenter, thanks to the generosity and support of their management and staff.

The Hedeby Bouts are scheduled for 12th–13th April. Participants are welcome to arrive on Friday, 11th April.
​The Ribe Bouts will take place 17th–19th October. I will be on-site from Thursday, 16th October.

We have ample sleeping space inside the reconstructed houses.

Read more about the nature of these events and download liability waivers if you wish to sign up for Hedeby and/or Ribe.

I am very much looking forward to time-travelling with you.

Take care, and train hard.

Roland

So, that's it for today. Take care, and keep your blade well-honed.

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Yours,

Roland

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