The smallest yet most important item discovered in Medieval Europe was the fork. Historical records indicate that the fork revolutionized dining culture at the time.
The fork was introduced to Europe from the Byzantine Empire around the 11th century and gradually became used among the nobility. Forks allowed people to eat more hygienically and became an important part of dining etiquette. Additionally, forks enabled the consumption of a wider variety of foods, increasing dietary diversity.
Archaeological evidence shows that several silver forks have been found in the graves of Medieval European nobles. This indicates that forks were widely used among the noble class at the time. This small tool significantly changed dining culture in Medieval Europe.