Medieval 'Curse Tablet' Unearthed in German Latrine; Scientists Offer Explanation for the Inscriptions on the Inconspicuous Metal

In Rostock, Germany, archaeologists unearthed a lead curse tablet from the 15th century in a latrine, invoking Satan and two other devils. Initially mistaken for scrap, the metal piece contained Gothic minuscule inscriptions, marking Germany's first discovered medieval curse tablet.

15th-Century Curse Tablet Decoded

During the construction of a town hall in Germany, archaeologists stumbled upon a Middle Ages latrine, leading to an unexpected discovery. At the latrine's base, an unremarkable rolled-up piece of metal unfolded into a significant find-a 15th-century curse tablet made of lead.

According to a news release from Rostock town hall officials on December 12, the tablet featured a devil's curse targeting two individuals, Taleke and Heinrich, invoking Satan, Beelzebub, and Berith.

Upon deciphering the Gothic script engraved on the tablet, the archaeologists revealed the phrase "sathanas taleke belzebuk hinrik berith." This unique discovery is noteworthy as curse tablets are predominantly associated with ancient times, particularly between 800 B.C. and 600 A.D. in Greek and Roman regions.

Though the identities of the individuals remain unknown, the researchers proposed various hypotheses for the underlying motivations. They pondered whether someone sought to interfere with Taleke and Heinrich's relationship, possibly driven by spurned love or jealousy. The discovery, dating back to the 15th century, was deemed a truly exceptional find by the team of archaeologists.

Curse Tablets Prevakent During Ancient Greece and Rome

The archaeological team, in collaboration with KOE, a Rostock-based real estate company overseeing the excavations, unearthed six medieval residences and numerous underground storage areas at the town hall construction site.

In these cellars and houses, evidence of the residents' trades and daily life emerged, including the discovery of a stone staircase and a collection of bronze taps dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries.

Jörg Ansorge, the excavation leader, highlighted the scarcity of similar finds from the medieval era, emphasizing the challenge of locating curse tablets due to the curser's intention to keep them hidden for the magic to take effect.

In ancient Greece and Rome, lead curses, known as defixiones, were prevalent, continuing into the Christian era. These inscriptions invoked divine or demonic powers for various purposes, including causing harm to rivals, settling disputes, or securing love.

The curse, typically etched on soft lead sheets, would be rolled or folded and placed in locations deemed gateways to chthonic powers, such as graves, wells, or temples, making them challenging for the cursed individuals to discover.

While the tradition of lead curse tablets diminished in the early 7th century, the discovery in medieval Rostock suggests a revival of this ancient practice. The tablet emerged during the preliminary excavation for the town hall's expansion, initially appearing as a random piece of rolled-up metal.

Placing the curse in a latrine, closer to the underworld than a well, ensured the cursed individuals would be unlikely to stumble upon it in the depths of human waste collection.

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