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.

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.

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