Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Dillinger, J

Titel

Magical Treasure Hunting in Europe and North America: A History

Auflage

1

Ort / Verlag

London: Palgrave Macmillan

Erscheinungsjahr

2011

Link zum Volltext

Quelle

Alma/SFX Local Collection

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• 01 02 In this, the first comprehensive history of magical treasure hunting, Johannes Dillinger, a leading expert on the history of folk belief, brings together a huge variety of British, European and American source materials. They range from medieval epics and the records of early modern witch trials to legends from the Wild West, SS files and outré websites. The study reconstructs a magical universe of treasure-guarding angels, fairies and ghosts, of wizards who were willing to face demons in order to get rich quickly, of resourceful tricksters exploiting creed and stupidity, and of ever watchful but often credulous and profit-seeking authorities. Looking over a long time-period, from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century, Dillinger not only reveals a rich and enduring magical culture but also the influence of new concepts of history and of the past. Combining history and anthropology, the study suggests an encompassing interpretation of treasure hunting that embeds the magic of the treasure in the changes of economic culture.   31 02 The first comprehensive history of magical treasure hunting from the Middle Ages to the 20th century 02 02 The first comprehensive history of magical treasure hunting from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, revealing a magical universe of treasure spirits, and wizards who tried to deal with them. Combining history and anthropology, this study sees treasure hunting as an expression of shifting economic mentalities and changing ideas about history. 13 02 JOHANNES DILLINGER Teaches Early Modern History at the Universities of Mainz, Germany, and Oxford Brookes, UK. He has published extensively on the history of the estates, peasant culture and magic. His work won him a number of prestigious awards and scholarships, among others the Heisenberg Scholarship for outstanding researchers and the Spee Award for major contributions to the history of witchcraft. 19 02 Ranges from the Middle Ages right through to the 20th century Combines history, folklore research and anthropology Suggests a new comprehensive theory to interpret the sources Uses sources from all over Europe as well as America and Britain 04 02 Illustrations Abbreviations Introduction: Treasures and Magic The Treasure in Law and Early Archaeology Medieval Treasure Lore The Magical Treasure and Its Guardians Treasure Hunters' Magic The Authorities' Attitude towards Treasure Hunting The Social Background of Treasure Hunters Treasure Hunts in the 19th and 20th Centuries The Significance of Treasure Hunting: Past and Present Conclusion Bibliography