Let's call metal detecting in Germany a niche hobby instead of a wingnut pursuit.
As a research-free blog, we do not have numbers, but given that there are small shop owners here who can eek out a living selling metal detectors at reasonable prices, we assume this is an under reported German sport.
As in other areas, the local Americans had a lot to do with making it popular. Going off base and into the woods waving that upside down walking stick with a coil at the bottom is still widespread, as internet forums attest.
So, a K-landnews team decided to go treasure hunting. We found some items that are treasures to us but not to anybody else.
And we unearthed German legal constructs we deem outright feudal. Metal detecting is regulated on the state level and vastly different from state to state. Some states are pretty cool about ownership of finds, others have medieval laws on the book, making everything you find state property.
Modern maps and GPS technology notwithstanding, a surprising number of artifacts are found just beyond the stateline, conveniently inside in a "finders, keepers" or "finders, good reward" jurisdiction.
The Nebra Skydisk made International headlines several years ago and highlighted the feudal legal constructs in some German states. Discovery of the disk and an ensuing court battle illustrate just how bad it can get.
Even in a state like ours, where any find belongs to the state, the laws are only enforced for items of archeological importance if you report them.
Luckily for us, the Romans lived here for half a millennium and were prolific discarders and wasters of things metal. Bronze coins and iron nails are bountiful and of zero interest to the state government hoarders.
Anticipation being half the fun, we spent hours pouring over local maps and historical records. So, even before we ventured out in mild summer weather, we had learned a lot.
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