Fundstücken

Fundstück (plural Fundstücke) is a German term used for an object that has been found, typically during excavation, fieldwork, or casual discovery. In archaeology, ethnology, and museology, a Fundstück can range from tools, pottery, and bone fragments to manuscripts and other material evidence. The concept emphasizes the find as a piece of historical information and context, not only as a visible artifact.

Etymology and usage: The word combines Fund (find) and Stück (piece). The standard plural is Fundstücke; Fundstücken is generally considered nonstandard or dialectal. In scholarly writing and cataloging, Fundstücke is the preferred form.

Archaeology, provenance, and documentation: Finds are recorded with detailed information on findspot, stratigraphic layer, dating, material, and condition. The discovery context shapes interpretation, and subsequent conservation, documentation, and sometimes accession to a collection follow. Smaller finds may be grouped into deposits, while significant items can prompt further research and publication.

Fundstücke in art and culture: The term also intersects with the concept of found objects (objet trouvé) in art, particularly associated with Dada and modernist movements. In this usage, everyday items are recontextualized as artworks, inviting new meanings through presentation and juxtaposition.

Handling, ethics, and legal aspects: Finds are subject to laws and ethical guidelines concerning ownership, provenance, and cultural heritage rights. Proper conservation and comprehensive documentation are essential for preserving contextual information for future study, exhibitions, and potential repatriation or transfer of stewardship.

See also: Found object, Objet trouvé, Funde, Archaeology, Museology.