Archaeologists working in northern Germany have discovered a medieval metal tablet cursing a man and a woman. Dating from the 15th century, it seems to invoke three devils against them.
KOE, which manages and develops municipal property for the city of Rostock, announced the discovery during construction work on the town hall. An inconspicuous piece of metal turned out to be a “curse tablet.” It is a rolled-up piece of lead. When unrolled, the words “sathanas taleke belzebuk hinrik berith” became legible. The curse was directed against a woman named Taleke and a certain Hinrik (Heinrich). They should have to deal with the devils Satan, Beelzebub and Berith.
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View of the town hall archaeological site in Rostock – photo courtesy KOE
The archaeologists speculate that perhaps someone wanted to break up Taleke and Heinrich’s relationship: was this about spurned love and jealousy, or should someone be taken out of the way?
“Curse tablets are known from ancient times in the Greek and Roman regions, i.e. from the period from 800 BC to 600 AD,” says excavation leader Dr. Jörg Ansorge. “Our discovery, on the other hand, can be dated to the 15th century. This is really a very special find.”
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The writing in Gothic minuscules is barely visible to the naked eye. It is established handwriting, not a scribble. The tablet was discovered at the bottom of a latrine at one end of the property. Even in ancient times, curse tablets were placed where they were difficult or impossible to find. The cursed should not learn of the impending disaster.
Dr. Jörg Ansorge and his employees have now uncovered all accessible cellars in the area just behind the town hall. These are six medieval gabled houses that were significantly rebuilt after the fire of 1677. The layout of the properties has also undergone profound changes. Almost all of the houses in the area were destroyed during the bombing raids in 1942.
One cellar dates back to the 13th century. A new building was built on it around 1880-90. In the medieval cellar there were traces of crafts and living, including a hearth for tripod pots and a stone staircase.
The remains of another stone building suggests it was constructed between 1230 to 1250. Special finds from the site include gabled houses with various taps from the 16th or 17th century. The taps come from Northern Germany and were made of bronze. This confirms the written evidence that beer was once brewed in the street. The introduction of wooden water pipes and boxes embedded in the basement floor notes that the site was used as a cistern.
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The bronze taps – photo courtesy KOE
Dr. Jörg Ansorge is generally satisfied with the results of the excavation. “This construction site is very poor,” he explains. “For example, we did not discover any latrines from the Renaissance or Baroque periods. But when we find something, it is top quality, like the Valencian chandelier, the exceptionally preserved leather shoe and the curse tablet.”
Archaeologists working in northern Germany have discovered a medieval metal tablet cursing a man and a woman. Dating from the 15th century, it seems to invoke three devils against them.
KOE, which manages and develops municipal property for the city of Rostock, announced the discovery during construction work on the town hall. An inconspicuous piece of metal turned out to be a “curse tablet.” It is a rolled-up piece of lead. When unrolled, the words “sathanas taleke belzebuk hinrik berith” became legible. The curse was directed against a woman named Taleke and a certain Hinrik (Heinrich). They should have to deal with the devils Satan, Beelzebub and Berith.
The archaeologists speculate that perhaps someone wanted to break up Taleke and Heinrich’s relationship: was this about spurned love and jealousy, or should someone be taken out of the way?
“Curse tablets are known from ancient times in the Greek and Roman regions, i.e. from the period from 800 BC to 600 AD,” says excavation leader Dr. Jörg Ansorge. “Our discovery, on the other hand, can be dated to the 15th century. This is really a very special find.”
The writing in Gothic minuscules is barely visible to the naked eye. It is established handwriting, not a scribble. The tablet was discovered at the bottom of a latrine at one end of the property. Even in ancient times, curse tablets were placed where they were difficult or impossible to find. The cursed should not learn of the impending disaster.
Dr. Jörg Ansorge and his employees have now uncovered all accessible cellars in the area just behind the town hall. These are six medieval gabled houses that were significantly rebuilt after the fire of 1677. The layout of the properties has also undergone profound changes. Almost all of the houses in the area were destroyed during the bombing raids in 1942.
One cellar dates back to the 13th century. A new building was built on it around 1880-90. In the medieval cellar there were traces of crafts and living, including a hearth for tripod pots and a stone staircase.
The remains of another stone building suggests it was constructed between 1230 to 1250. Special finds from the site include gabled houses with various taps from the 16th or 17th century. The taps come from Northern Germany and were made of bronze. This confirms the written evidence that beer was once brewed in the street. The introduction of wooden water pipes and boxes embedded in the basement floor notes that the site was used as a cistern.
Dr. Jörg Ansorge is generally satisfied with the results of the excavation. “This construction site is very poor,” he explains. “For example, we did not discover any latrines from the Renaissance or Baroque periods. But when we find something, it is top quality, like the Valencian chandelier, the exceptionally preserved leather shoe and the curse tablet.”
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