Treasure hunt. More and more amateur archaeologists goes in search of the gold and silver which is buried in the Danish soil. Every year, thousands of ancient coins and jewelry, which provide new knowledge about our history - if they do not end up on the black market.
Normally, Danish plowed fields do not people to think of Arab silver treasures, precious jewelry Roman and Viking treasure full of gold coins. But actually the dark mulch is an excellent place to go on a treasure hunt, and in recent years, more and more drawn into the boots, took a metal detector under his arm and went out to comb the ground for objects from the past.
One of these amateur archaeologists are Klaus Thorsen. He is chairman of the Bornholm Amateur archaeologists, and in the 30 years he has been in Danish fields, he found 15 old silver and gold treasures. It has taken many hours with detector in hand. "It can take a long time in a while, you find something," he stresses, but there are also days when you're really lucky. As the day and a half years ago, when he was taken to eastern Bornholm with his metal detector. Already the first time he swings the detector back and forth across the furrows, giving it a beep. He bends down and find an Arabic silver coin from 800 AD and can hardly believe his luck. And it's not the last time that day that Klaus Thorsens detector beeps. More amateur archaeologists
When an amateur archaeologist finds a historical subject, it must first be assessed by the local museum. If the object crystal has historical value, it is sent then to the National Museum, which assesses whether the object has a special historical value, so-called treasure trove. If so, receive amateur archaeologist one day findeløn.I amateur archeology has become so popular that Danish museums are working overtime, says curator at the National Museum Jens Christian Moesgård.
"In the 15 years I've been here, I will shoot on the number of detections are tripled. It's wonderful, because it gives a lot of new knowledge. "In fact, Danish amateur archaeologists as many objects that are in the process of changing the image that historians have hitherto had of the past. Arabic gold treasure
On the field on the eastern island of Bornholm will still beep from Klaus Thorsens detector. Again pills he an Arab silver coin out of the ground. And so it goes. In fact, the detector beeps throughout 159 times. Klaus Thorsen stands crystal on what will prove to be the biggest Arab silver hoard from the period, which is found in Denmark. crystal Archaeologists from Bornholm Museum come that afternoon and helps to recover crystal the precious finds.
After weeks of excavations, it turns out that the Arab treasure hidden in the floor on a 10 meter long vikingegård.Fund as these archaeologists learn about the history of Denmark. The number of coins that are found throughout the country, has given historians crystal a new picture of how money spent in the Middle Ages, Jens Christian Moesgård.
"Until now it was believed that the use of coins in the Middle Ages was mainly restricted to the major cities. The numerous finds of individual coins across the country shows that we also used them outside in the small rural communities, "he said, adding that the National crystal Museum regularly exhibits amateur archaeologists' findings.
"The many jewelry that we have filed from amateur archaeologists, also shows that mass-produced jewelry in the Viking Age, and that it was not only the rich who wore them," he said. Amateur Archaeologist The many discoveries have also helped to locate settlements, says the curator.
The many discoveries have also created challenges for museums, Jens Christian Moesgård. The bustle of museums means that amateur crystal archaeologists often have to wait over a year before they get answers from the museums. crystal And the wait can at worst have negative consequences, says Jens Christian Moesgård.
"If the wait is too long, and amateur archaeologists are tired of waiting, there is a small risk that a few might choose to sell their stuff illegally," he said, adding that the National Museum has seen examples of that treasure trove has ended on the black market. Jens Christian Moesgård stresses, however, that so far is a limited problem. "We really have a good and trusting relationship with amateur archaeologists. But it is clear that the waiting time is a problem, "he said.
President of the Association of Danish Amateur archaeologists, Jan Andersen, crystal hope that there will be more funding for museums, so the wait can be shorter. He also emphasizes that the vast majority of amateur archaeologists are looking to monetize their hobby. "It's the story that drives them."
This also applies to Klaus Thorsen. Since he took the Arab silver treasure in the field of Children Holm, he has given much thought crystal to how it got to be stored in the Viking farm in over 1,000 years. He believes there is a tragedy behind.
"There has undoubtedly lived a very rich family on the farm. But j
