In ancient times, when people had conflicts in their business affairs or rivals in romance, they used to write curses on lead tablets, invoking the powers of the darkness to remove whatever obstacles stood in their way.
These tablets were then folded up and stashed in places believed to be gateways to the underworld, like graves, wells, or temples. So, it wasn't surprising to find one such tablet in a 15th century latrine in Rostock, Germany.
It had been discovered when Rostock's town hall was undergoing some excavation for renevations. They found the metal rolled up, and when they unfurled it, an inscription was written in Gothic script. It was a curse that invoked devils to presumably break up a couple.
Though about 1,500 curse tablets have been discovered so far, this is the first one to be found in Rostock, Germany. Moreover, despite the practice being abandoned in the 7th century in most parts of Europe, it seems that it continued on in Germany well into the Middle Ages.
(Image credit: The History Blog)