#material culture

All articles tagged with "material culture"

Someone Dropped This Notebook in a Medieval Toilet 700 Years Ago—and It’s Still Legible

A wax notebook lost in a medieval latrine is rewriting daily life in late Middle Ages Germany

Archaeologists in Paderborn uncovered an exceptionally well-preserved wax notebook from a 700- to 800-year-old latrine, offering a rare glimpse into everyday literacy, record-keeping, and material life in the late Middle

Key Takeaways

A tiny wax notebook survived 700 to 800 years in a medieval latrine.
The object appears to have been a reusable everyday writing tool.

DT Editorial Team·May 19, 2026·via gizmodo.com

Reconstructed Nubian Royal Robes Offer a Rare View of How Power Was Worn

An archaeological reconstruction of medieval Nubian ceremonial dress is giving researchers a more tangible sense of how clothing communicated prestige, rank, and authority in a lost Christian kingdom.

Key Takeaways

An archaeological project reconstructed ceremonial dress linked to medieval Nubian royalty and clergy.
Researchers say the garments offer a rare view into how clothing communicated authority.

DT Editorial Team·Apr 13, 2026·via phys.org