Fundstellen

Fundstellen is a German noun meaning “finding place” or “source location,” and the plural refers to multiple such locations. The term is used in several fields with distinct senses but related to the idea of a precise place of origin or evidence.

In scholarly and philological contexts, Fundstelle denotes the exact source location of a fact, quotation, or textual variant. It identifies where in a source text a statement can be found, such as a page, column, or line, and is used to supply evidence in critical apparatuses or footnotes. In this sense Fundstellen are cited references that support argumentation, and quotations are anchored to specific Fundstellen.

In archaeology and related disciplines, Fundstelle is used to mean the site where artifacts, fossils, or other material findings were discovered. This can include the geographic coordinates, stratigraphic layer, and discovery context. The term emphasizes provenance and contextual information important for interpretation.

In legal, historical, and bibliographic uses, Fundstelle may also refer to the source or reference where a fact or statement was obtained. The precise identification of a Fundstelle is essential for traceability and reproducibility of research.

Usage notes: The choice between Fundstelle and related terms like Fundort or Quelle depends on field and emphasis. In everyday German, Fundstelle often implies a cited textual location; in archaeology, Fundstelle more commonly refers to a physical finding site. Plural form: Fundstellen.