It is the treasure hunt that has done it to him: Volker Metschl from Arzbach comes across the most interesting finds with his metal detector.
Arzbach
- A few years ago, Volker Metschl still spent his free time fishing or cycling. Then his son Samson got a metal detector from his grandmother for Christmas. And as is often the case with other gifts, dad couldn't resist and only a few days later went on a “treasure hunt” in the home garden. The beginner's luck stood by the now 56-year-old immediately. “It didn't take long and the first musket ball was found,” remembers the Arzbacher. The passion for his new hobby horse was kindled.
Since then he has been looking for almost every free minute.
Before that happens, however, permission is obtained from the property owner or leaseholder.
“I only have a few problems with that,” says the “Sondler”, as the treasure hunters often like to call themselves.
After all, his hobby is also valued because he helps to clear fields, meadows and arable land of rubbish.
Ninety percent of the finds are namely crown corks and can closures.
But Metschl has also already found screws or larger pieces of iron, which can cause considerable damage to machines when harvesting.
“Again and again I bring a few bags full to the recycling center.” The farmers are even grateful and would give him tips on where the search could end successfully.
Monument protection dictates what happens to larger finds
Archaeologists, on the other hand, are less popular with probe walkers.
As everywhere, there are of course some “black sheep” among the approximately 2000 treasure hunters active in Bavaria.
What is allowed in the case of a larger find is stipulated by the monument protection laws in the federal states.
Everywhere, with the exception of Bavaria, finds of historical importance must be handed over to the state.
In the Free State, however, the finder and property owner share the value.
“I'm not interested in profit.
For me, it's more about the story behind the found objects, ”says Metschl, who works as an everyday therapy helper.
The device he sets out with is a bit like a vacuum cleaner.
At the bottom, however, instead of a suction brush, a kind of plate called a coil is mounted through which electricity flows.
The probe can detect something metallic up to a depth of almost 50 centimeters.
"But then the part has to be quite big."
Finds are usually ten to fifteen centimeters underground
The duller the device beeps, the smaller the object. “My finds are usually ten to fifteen centimeters below the surface of the earth,” says Metschl. But there are also “absolutely interesting pieces”, such as lovingly decorated furry bells. The Arzbacher estimates the age of the different specimens to be up to 200 years. He obtained information about their meaning and use from books and the Internet. The larger bells were hung around goats or sheep, the smaller bells mostly horses braided into the mane.
One find that poses a special riddle is a coin that to this day cannot be precisely assigned.
On it is a Mongolian knot script, which could come from a time when a Mongolian emperor ruled China.
“So from the 12th century, which I can't really believe.
How should such a coin end up in a cow meadow in the Oberland? ”Perhaps a US soldier with Chinese roots carried and lost it as a good luck charm during World War II.
Chinese coin is a puzzle
A signal that had never been heard on the detector before caused a coin from Friedrich Wilhelm Carl, who was King of Württemberg from 1816 to 1864.
The piece of jewelery is in almost perfect condition.
A pilgrim medal from the 18th century is also extremely rare.
The trailer is even listed on a pilgrimage website in Austria.
One of the oldest finds could be a handmade bronze ring, which is very similar to a ring coin that is up to 2500 years old.
Metschl is happy to live in an area that has a lot of history in it.
He estimates that there are still many finds waiting for him and his son.
In addition, he continues to hope that the farmers will agree and would also like to work with an archaeologist.
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