An ancient tablet found by archaeologists carried a curse on a man and a woman

An ancient inscription mentioned Satan and Beelzebub

In the city of Rostock on Germany’s northern coast, archaeologists have found a lead curse tablet summoning Satan and two other devils in a 15th-century latrine. This unusual monument from the distant past was discovered during work on the construction site for the expansion of Rostock Town Hall, reports website arkeonews.net.

The tablet with the curse spell lay deep in the ground for centuries. When it was unfolded, we were able to make out the words “Satanas taleke Belzebuk Hinrik berit.” It was about a woman named Taleke and a certain Hinrich (Henry), who apparently had to deal with the devils Satan, Beelzebub and Berith.

The inscription is a list of names written in small Gothic script. The devils invoked are Satan, Beelzebub, and Berith (also known as Baal Berith, a Canaanite deity equated to Beelzebub in rabbinic tradition). The obvious targets of the curse are Taleke and Hinrik, who lived half a millennium ago.

The find is especially unique because curse tablets have mostly been known since ancient times, from around 800 BC. to 600 A.D., in the regions of Greece and Rome, excavation director Jörg Ansorge said in a press release. Similar finds from the same era are largely unknown, notes arkeonews.net..

The beginning of the 7th century marked the end of the era of lead curse tablets. Scientists have discovered curses from later periods, but they came in different forms. Apparently the ancient tradition was still practiced in medieval Rostock at least once.

“On the other hand, our discovery can be dated back to the 15th century. This is truly a very unusual find.” According to Jörg Ansorge, similar finds from the Middle Ages were unknown.

The sign was found at the bottom of a latrine at the end of the property. Even in ancient times, “curse tablets” were placed where they were difficult or impossible to find.

According to a press release from Rostock real estate company KOE, which is involved in the excavation, a team of archaeologists excavated six medieval houses and several cellars at the site of the town hall. Experts discovered in the basements and houses traces of the crafts and life of local residents, a stone staircase and various bronze taps from the 16th and 17th centuries.