
An unusual incident has sparked a heated debate among German heritage protectors that raises crucial questions about the handling of historic material and the role of amateur researchers.
A so-called "dirt detective" carried out an illegal excavation in the ruins of Metilstein Castle near Eisenach, a site close to Wartburg Castle, one of Germany's most famous castles. In 1999, it was the first German castle to be placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List (source in German).