Tony Sparks, age 15, of Champaign, I11., for his question:

WHEN WERE THE DARK AGES?

Dark Ages is a term once used to describe the Middle Ages. The word "dark" referred to a supposed lack of learning during this period. We now know that the Middle Ages cannot be described as completely "dark." The period only seemed dark to scholars of the more advanced Renaissance and to historians who were later influenced by them.

The early centuries of the Middle Ages, from the A.D. 400s to the late 900s, came closest to being dark. Civilization sank low in Western Europe. Knowledge from the ancient Romans survived only in a few monastery, cathedral and palace schools.

During this period, knowledge acquired from ancient Greece almost disappeared. Few persona received schooling. Many of the art skills and craftsmanship of the ancient world were lost. Writers had little sense of style. In their ignorance, they accepted popular stories and rumors as true.

While such darkness existed in Western Europe, life was brighter in other parts of the world. The Byzantine Empire preserved many features of Greek and Roman life. The Arabs spread a splendid civilization from Spain to the borders of China.

In the early 1000s, economic and political life began to revive in Western Europe. This revival led to a remarkable improvement of culture during the 1100s.