France's 30 years search for golden owl finally ends
France's 30 years search for golden owl finally ends
The treasure hunt "on the trail of the golden owl"
The treasure hunt that is entitled "On the trail of the Golden Eul" is based on a puzzle book that was published in 1993. The participants had to solve 11 puzzles from the book and a 12th hidden puzzle to decrypt the exact location of the tokens.
The call for caution
"Don't dig!" warned a message on a channel of the news app Discord, which had tens of thousands of followers. "We confirm that the golden owl was excavated last night," said the message that triggered a wave of sad and crying emojis. "It is therefore pointless to dig."
review of the find
The solutions of those who claim to have found the token are currently being checked, the message shared with.
owl hunters: a passionate community
The book was published in 1993 by the author Régis Hauser and the artist Michel Becker and attracted a cult -like fan base of over 200,000 players who are called "owl hunters" and come from France and from abroad, according to the official website of the treasure hunt.
The price: a golden
Becker explained in a documentary published on YouTube that he monitored and financed the creation of the price. This consists of three kilograms (six pounds) gold and seven kilograms (15 pounds) silver, decorated with diamonds.
events for
Events were organized throughout France in which "owl hunters" meet and exchange tips. Hauser, the intellectual father of the riddle, initially used the pseudonym Max Valentin to keep the eagerest treasure hunters away from him. He died in 2009, reported the French newspaper Le Monde.
The final detection
he and Becker decided to bury a replica of the owl, while the valuable original was kept in a safe place. The value of the original is currently estimated at around 150,000 euros (around $ 165,000), according to the online fans of the treasure hunt.
how to use the treasure
To redeem the treasure, the winner must submit the replica and the answers to all puzzles of the book. Becker did not react to a request from the Associated Press.
reactions to the news
on Discord, the members of the treasure sewer reacted quickly to the news that the owl's replica may have been found, and thousands of messages came in. "Time to get the handkerchiefs out," wrote one. "It's the end of an era," remarked another.
The end of an era
French media also report on the hunting hunting, which lasts three decades, which is one of the longest unresolved treasure hunts in the world. "I am disappointed because I thought I was close, but at the same time relieved that things are coming to an end," said a participant from southern France on France Inter.
The intensive search over two years
The 30-year-old man said that in the past two years he had searched for the owl every weekend and sometimes felt forced to dig in the middle of the night.
Important note to the Eulenjäger
On the official website, Becker reminds the “owl hunters” not to dig holes on public or private reason without permission.
inspiration through "masquerade"
According to a documentary from 2021, the concept was inspired by "Masquerade", a puzzle book by Kit Williams from 1979, where the hunters also had to solve several puzzles to find a golden rabbit.