Post-classical history

Post-classical history (also called the Post-Antiquity era, Post-Ancient Era, or Pre-Modern Era) is a periodization commonly used by the school of "world history" instead of Middle Ages (Medieval), which is roughly synonymous. The period runs from about 500 to 1450 CE though there may be regional differences and debates. The era was globally characterized by the expansion of civilizations geographically, the development of three of the great world religions (Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism), and development of networks of trade between civilizations.

Images

Old World Architectural wonders of the Post classical era

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  Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris in Paris, France
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  Haiga Sophia in modern day Istanbul, Turkey (Constantinople)
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  Sankore Mosque in Tumbiktu,Mali
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  Interior of Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem
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  Angkor Wat,in Siem Reap province Cambodia
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  The Temple of Heaven in Bejing, China

All above locations are UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Science and technology during the Post Classical Period

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  Greek fire from Byzantium was as a substance made of Napalm would burn all objects in its path. Inscription reads "the fleet of the Romans setting ablaze the fleet of the enemies".
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  Engraving of Abū Sahl al-Qūhī's perfect compass to draw conic sections..
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  The Chinese invented both printing, and paper money. This bank-note and wood block are from the Yuan dynasty
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  Incan Quipu used for numeric calculations, communication, and historic records

Literature produced during the Post Classical Period

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  Bible, dated from 1300 produced by the Teutonic Order in the Netherlands. Features Book of Ester.
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  Qur'anic Manuscript by Ibn al-Bawwab, one of the great Islamic masters of calligraphy, dated from 1000.
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  Buddhist Diamond Sutra, printed via woodblock in 868, from Tang China, Gansu Province.
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  Mayan Dresden Codex,page 2, one of three surviving books from the Maya civilization..

Maps

Political Maps depicting the Post-Classical (Medieval) world

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  Map of the world in the year of 500 CE.
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  Map of the world in the year of 750 CE.
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  Map of the Eastern Hemisphere in the year of 1200 CE.

Depicts placement of peoples and national boundaries

Maps depicting the Later Post-Classical period.

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  Expansion and division of the Mongol Empire from 1204 to 1294
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  Mongol Empire (greatest extent) in the year 1279. Mongols also ransacked Myanmar and Cambodia in later years. The Mongol realm stretched from modern day Poland to the Sea of Japan
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  European Colonial Empires in 1492 CE, eve of Age of Discovery

Depicts developments between 1200 and 1500

Maps depicting Religion and Trade

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  Extent of Silk Route/Silk Road. Red is land route and the blue is the sea/water route.
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  State Religions of the Old World in the year of 820 CE, does not account for minorities.
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  Distribution of religion in the Old World during the 15th century.

Depicts trade networks and spread of religions

Maps depicting Regional Developments

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  Shows extent of Norse Exploration and raids during Viking Age across Europe, North Africa, Asia and the Americas.
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  Major cultural areas of the Americas. Click on image for further details
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  An equirectangular projection of Polynesian migration.

Depicts major regional developments, mostly in more isolated areas

See Post-classical history at Wikipedia.