Munich (dpa/lby) - Anyone who discovers a historical treasure or an archaeological find in Bavaria in the future must leave it to the Free State of Bavaria. The cabinet decided on Tuesday to introduce a so-called treasury shelf, which regulates ownership. So far, a find has always belonged half to the owner of the property and half to the finder.
State Chancellor Florian Herrmann (CSU) justified the new regulation with the increasing need to take action against illegal excavations by "fortune knights". This also means that in future there will be a general ban on the use of metal probes on registered archaeological monuments.
The discoverers of archaeological finds are to receive a reward in the future, property owners are entitled to financial compensation. However, exceptions for legitimate professional purposes are still permitted. Archaeological treasures should remain in the region where they were found.
