Treasure hunting is not just for Caribbean pirates or adventurers of the last century. The proof is in the mysterious map that the Dutch archives have just made public. It looks like something out of a film where a large hand-drawn red cross indicates the location of an alleged treasure from the Second World War.
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Hidden Nazi gold
Far from being the most virtuous people in history, the Nazis did not just commit war crimes, find the most atrocious ways to eradicate those they considered unworthy, or invade their neighbours. During the war, Hitler's supporters also looted villages, robbed shopkeepers and emptied banks to finance the war (and enrich a few brasses).
Nazi gold sparks village treasure hunt.
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) January 19, 2023
The Dutch National Archive unveiled the hand-drawn map in early January, featuring a tell-tale red 'X' believed to mark the spot where German soldiers stashed their hoard, triggering an invasion of treasure huntershttps://t.co/WBy17kNJ3Epic.twitter.com/Xxf8kPmUzW
The Netherlands did not escape the German steamroller, and after bombing a Dutch bank, the Nazis reportedly buried a huge haul in a plot of land in the small village of Ommeren. According to AFP:
Documents held along with the map include testimony that the Nazis buried four ammunition boxes filled with jewellery, precious stones and gold coins, believed to be worth 11 million euros ($11.9 million) at current value.
The mysterious map
But what does this map show anyway? The hand-drawn map shows the small village of Ommeren, and more precisely a small alley where the treasure is believed to have been buried. The village was invaded by treasure hunters after the map was published. Hendrik Hingstman whose family was one of many that immigrated to Ommeren, says:
Our interest was immediately aroused
The surge in population was so intense that the local authorities were forced to turn away the newcomers. Moreover, despite several attempts, the famous treasure, whose actual worth is $11.9 million, has still not been found! It is possible that it was unearthed at the end of the war, either by the Nazis themselves or by the American soldiers when they arrived. Other excavations should be carried out soon.
This article was translated from Gentside FR.
Sources used:
-AFP: Nazi gold sparks Dutch village treasure hunt
