Wax Notebook Found In Latrine: medieval ‘iPad’ emerges from 13th‑century loo; silk wipes reveal elite life

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. 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.