Record number of archaeological finds swamping National Museum of Denmark

Compensation payouts are being delayed

Amateur bounty hunting has become increasingly popular in Denmark and a record number of archaeological finds have been submitted to the National Museum for processing.

According to law, all archaeological treasures discovered on Danish soil belong to the state, but the lucky finders have the right to receive a financial compensation.

However, due to the large number of objects that have to be filed and examined, eager bounty hunters have to wait several months or longer before they can get their reward.

Bent Gregersen and Frank Pelle, who discovered 350 coins and a gold ring on Bornholm, have been waiting for more than two years receive their compensation.

READ MORE: Archaeologists find 1,000-year-old pitcher in Jutland

Thousands of treasure troves
Mads Schear Mikkelsen, the head of secretariat at the National Museum, estimates that some 11,000-12,000 treasure troves will have to be processed this year.

In 2015, some 9,756 items were filed and the museum paid out 4.2 million kroner in compensation.

Mikkelsen noted the National Museum has hired external consultants to help speed up the processing time.





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