800-Year-Old Notebook Found in German Toilet

Why this is here: The notebook’s pages were written in two directions, suggesting it functioned as a reusable notepad where the wax could be smoothed to erase previous entries.

Archaeologists in Paderborn, Germany uncovered an 800-year-old notebook while excavating a medieval latrine. The object initially appeared as a wet clod of earth with an unpleasant odor.

Cleaning revealed a remarkably well-preserved, ten-page notebook bound in leather, wood, and wax. Measuring roughly 3.94 by 2.95 inches, eight pages contained double-sided writing.

The damp, airtight soil protected the text from damage, even keeping the wood from warping. Researchers believe the notebook belonged to a literate merchant who likely recorded business transactions. The text, written in Latin, is proving difficult to decipher due to potential spelling errors and the age of the script.

A transcription of the medieval handwriting is underway. While the accidental fall into the toilet ensured its preservation, many questions remain about the notebook’s author and precise purpose. The city of Paderborn will share further excavation findings on May 21st.