What are the main characteristics of the European Middle Ages Dark Ages?

Well, one thing that definitely defined people back then was religion. Everything people did had to be in sync with the religious dogmas of the time. They weren't allowed to question (at least not openly) what is the origin of things and why they function the way they do, which brought to a major setback as far as the development of science goes (for example medicine -hygiene was poor because they did not believe it to be crucial for preventing illnesses because illness was interpreted, among other interpretations, as a punishment for one's sins).