Current:Home > InvestAncient "curse tablet" targeting unlucky pair unearthed by archaeologists in Germany -FundPrime
Ancient "curse tablet" targeting unlucky pair unearthed by archaeologists in Germany
View
Date:2025-04-17 14:11:04
Archaeologists probing a construction site in northern Germany recently unearthed a cryptic artifact that they believe dates back to the 15th century: a medieval "curse tablet," with an inscription seemingly directed at two specific people.
The tablet was made from a small slab of lead, which was rolled up and "inconspicuous" when archaeologists discovered it beneath a latrine at the site in Rostock, a coastal city where construction for a town hall building was underway, the city said in a translated news release.
Curse tablets were often hidden in places "where they were difficult or impossible to find" so "the cursed ones shouldn't find out about the impending disaster," according to the release, which added that obscurity meant the tablet's "damaging magic could therefore unfold in peace."
When researchers unrolled the piece of metal, they found a handwritten message in Gothic script that was hard to see with the naked eye. They ultimately deciphered the lettering as a clear curse, targeting a woman named Taleke and a man named Hinrik with its bad omen. According to archaeologists, the script read, "sathanas taleke belzebuk hinrik berith," which they interpreted as a call summoning Satan and the demonic spirit Berith against the unlucky pair, for one reason or another.
"Did someone want to break up Taleke and Heinrich's relationship? Was this about spurned love and jealousy, should someone be put out of the way?" asked Rostock officials in the news release.
Jörg Ansorge, who led the excavation project, said the tablet was "truly a very special find" in a statement. He noted that curse tablets like the one found in Rostock are typically associated with ancient Greece and Rome.
"Curse tablets are actually known from ancient times in the Greek and Roman regions, i.e. from the period from 800 B.C. to 600 A.D.," Ansorge said. "Our discovery, on the other hand, can be dated to the 15th century."
Other "curse tablets" have been uncovered by archaeologists before. A 1,500-year-old lead tablet found in an ancient theater in present-day Israel had Greek inscriptions that summoned demons to harm a rival dancer, and 2,400-year-old tablets discovered in Athens called on gods of the underworld to harm a group of tavern keepers, LiveScience reported.
The tablet discovered in Germany was not the first archeological find in Rostock, according to the city. Ansorge was also involved in a project at the same town hall construction site where they unearthed Valencian chandelierware earlier this year. Experts say the well-preserved bowl was made in Valencia, Spain, at some point during the 15th century.
- In:
- Archaeologist
- Germany
Emily Mae Czachor is a reporter and news editor at CBSNews.com. She covers breaking news, often focusing on crime and extreme weather. Emily Mae has previously written for outlets including the Los Angeles Times, BuzzFeed and Newsweek.
Twitter InstagramveryGood! (99877)
Related
- Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
- Will Cowboys fire Mike McCarthy? Jerry Jones blasts 'hypothetical' after brutal loss
- Zoe Saldaña: Spielberg 'restored my faith' in big movies after 'Pirates of the Caribbean'
- Ethan Slater’s Reaction to Girlfriend Ariana Grande's Saturday Night Live Moment Proves He’s So Into Her
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Why Kelsea Ballerini Doesn't Watch Boyfriend Chase Stokes' Show Outer Banks
- How long is Aidan Hutchinson out? Updated injury timeline for Lions DE
- Mets hang on to beat Dodgers after early Game 2 outburst, tie NLCS: Highlights
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- New lawsuits accuse Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs of sexual assault against 6 people, including a minor
Ranking
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- Texas edges Oregon for top spot in college football's NCAA Re-Rank 1-134
- Lilly Ledbetter, equal pay trailblazer who changed US law, dies at 86
- Liam Gallagher reacts to 'SNL' Oasis skit: 'Are they meant to be comedians'
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Wolves' Donte DiVincenzo, Knicks assistant have to be separated after game
- RHOSLC's Lisa Barlow Hilariously Weighs in on Mormon Sex Swinging Culture
- Kanye West Allegedly Told Wife Bianca Censori He Wanted to Have Sex With Her Mom While She Watched
Recommendation
Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
Is Capital One Financial stock a buy before Oct. 24?
Mark Harmon asked 'NCIS: Origins' new Gibbs, Austin Stowell: 'Are you ready for this?'
Feel Free to Talk About These Fight Club Secrets
Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
Cavaliers break ground on new state-of-the-art training facility scheduled to open in 2027
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni downplays apparent shouting match with home fans
In Missouri, Halloween night signs were required in the yards of sex offenders. Until now