What is one reason that the middle ages are sometimes referred to as the dark ages

The term "Dark Ages" is often used to refer to the early part of the Middle Ages, specifically from the fall of the Western Roman Empire around the 5th century to the beginning of the High Middle Ages around the 11th century. One reason for this designation is the perceived cultural and economic decline that followed the collapse of the Roman Empire. This period was characterized by a reduction in literary and artistic output, as well as a loss of central authority and infrastructure, which led to widespread instability and a more localized and agrarian society. This historical narrative has contributed to the view of the "Dark Ages" as a time of ignorance and stagnation, though contemporary scholarship tends to present a more nuanced picture of this era.