Archaeologists in Paderborn discovered a perfectly preserved 13th-century wax notebook and silk scraps in a latrine, offering a glimpse into the life of a wealthy medieval merchant. Image Credit: LWL-Archaeology for Westphalia/E. Daood
In Paderborn, Germany, history has become a lot more real. Archaeologists found a wax notebook in a 13th-century latrine that was preserved in perfect condition. It’s like “Stars, They’re Like Us” for medieval times. The leather-bound “iPad” of the Middle Ages was not the only thing that caught the eye. It was also the scraps of silk that were used to make toilet paper.This discovery, made by the Regional Association of Westphalia-Lippe on 12 May 2026, is being heralded as an opportunity to peek into the lives of 700-year-old 1%.Lost and found in Medieval timesIn the 1300s, this was no ordinary neighbourhood. It was Beverly Hills for the merchant class in Paderborn. Five medieval latrines were discovered by excavators. The term “medieval latrine” may sound horrifying, but for archaeologists, it is a treasure trove.These pits, which were airtight and damp, preserved organic material that would normally rot. The muck revealed a small leather pouch that contained a notebook about the same size as a smartphone.Before it became cool, reusable tech was availableIt wasn’t even a notebook. This was not a paper notebook. It was an ancient “wax table,” where notes were scratched into wax using a metal stylus. You could erase the mistake you’d made or the entire page by using the flat edge of the tool.Sveva GAI, Paderborn’s archaeologist, said that the writing is casual Latin cursive and likely belongs to one person. Gai said that the handwriting looked like it was used every day by a merchant to keep track of deals, costs, or late-night thoughts. Being able to take shorthand notes in an age when literacy was rare was considered a mark of status.The rise of “literate traders” is a historical phenomenon. According to The Culture of the Medieval Merchant, for example, the literacy rate among merchants in the 13th-14th centuries was exceptionally high. It often rivalled the clergy as writing became a vital tool for the growing commercial world.
This “iPad of the Middle Ages,” used for notes and possibly as toilet paper, highlights the surprisingly high literacy among traders and the stark contrast between luxury and sanitation. Image Credit: Gemini
Silk at the Stall: A medieval classic!The trash beside the notebook proved the richness of the owner. Archaeologists discovered fragments of silk, neatly ripped into rectangles.These were likely repurposed high-end clothing and used as personal hygiene. This individual literally disposed of the medieval equivalents to designer labels, while most people would have used moss or leaves. Even today’s wealthy elite may find this level of quiet luxury excessive.The use of luxury fabrics in domestic settings provides an interesting picture of lifestyle and health. Even the richest medieval districts were not immune from the reality of their time. For example, in Parasite Infection in the Silk-Weaving District of Realejo it is shown that those who lived surrounded by wealth and silk often had to live with parasites. This highlights the difference between the high status “stuff”, and the grim realities of premodern sanitation.What this means to usHow did this valuable leather notebook, bound in leather, end up on the toilet bowl? Gai’s theory is very human: “It could have simply fallen in.”This is a situation that any person today who’s dropped a phone into a toilet will be able to relate to, except there wasn’t a “rice trick” available. This moment of 14th century clumsiness has given us an 21st century treasure.Scientists in Munster are restoring the notebook, using high-tech imaging techniques to look through layers of wax that have been erased. The scientists hope to uncover the hidden “ghost texts” that could reveal secrets of the merchants’ life. The notebook is soon to be displayed at the LWL museum in Paderborn. It proves that our embarrassing bathroom mistakes might become history one day.
