Trial by ordeal was an ancient method used to determine a person's guilt or innocence through physical tests. These tests often involved dangerous or painful challenges, such as walking on hot coals or being submerged in water. The belief was that divine intervention would protect the innocent, while the guilty would suffer. This practice was common in various cultures, including medieval Europe and among some indigenous tribes. Over time, as legal systems evolved, trial by ordeal was largely replaced by more rational methods of justice, such as evidence-based trials and the presumption of innocence.