Artefact Hunting in Luxembourg

Mauser and other dug up shells

This text answers a question of mine, but also touches upon the subject of the archaeology or recent conflict (Luxembourg Times, 'Buried treasure hunting in Luxembourg a “veritable plague”...' 07.09.2012). It turns out that there have been a lot of amateur metal detector users pillaging historical sites looking for artefacts to collect. Artefact hunters from Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands have been spotted scouring forest sites in the Grand Duchy in the hope of unearthing artefacts from the Battle of the Bulge, which took place in Luxembourg during the winter of 1944-45.

A spokesperson for the Centre Nationale de Recherche du Luxembourg Archéologique (CNRA) was quoted as saying in 2009 that the treasure hunt for military memorabilia by metal detectors during the past 15 years had “degenerated into a veritable plague”. [...] “The mere collection of war relics should not be confused with historical research and battlefield archeology, which is carried out by serious historical associations under a statutory provision in the actual interest of the general public,” the CNRA said in a statement. In addition to the loss of heritage and possible damage caused to artefacts by amateur diggers, the CNRA also warns potential treasure hunters of the dangers to health of digging up weapons and unexploded bombs. [...] Police urge vigilance from residents and remind anyone wishing to go on unauthorised treasure hunts that they could be subject to fines of up to 25,000 euros and a prison term of up to six months.

Four Dutch metal detectorists were arrested a few years ago in a forest near Wiltz. They are known to have spent the previous seven years searching for military memorabilia, mostly in the Netherlands and Belgium.