>>511222105
>except theres proof of a technological and population-wise collapse everywhere
No there isn't. In the immediate wake of the collapse of the Western empire sure, but it recovered. Retarded anti-science savages didn't build things like this, or make full body plate armor, or much better clothing than what was available to the average Roman, every facet of life saw steady advancement over time. The real main difference is that without the massive Roman logistics network the sizes of fielded armies were significantly smaller out of necessity, which can give people a false impression. The Catholic Church literally created modern science as we know it by creating and funding universities all across Europe. Catholicism has always been autistically scholastic and loved scientific pursuit, it was on the cutting edge of it throughout the entire medieval period.