The world’s longest treasure hunt appears to be over after a buried golden owl statuette has been unearthed after 31 years, France announced.
“We confirm that a replica of the Golden Owl was unearthed last night and the solution was sent to the online verification system,” read a post posted on the hunt’s official chat line Thursday morning.
“So there’s no point in digging now anywhere you think there might be treasure.”
The announcement was made by Michel Becker, who illustrated the original Chouette d’Or (Golden Owl) book and who engraved the buried statuette in 1993.
There was no further information about the location or the finder, and Mr. Becker could not be reached by phone.
Tens of thousands of people participated in the search, which spawned a wealth of secondary literature in books, pamphlets, and Internet sites.
They are all solving 11 complex puzzles posed by Max Valentin, the author of the first book. He took over the business following Becker’s death in 2009.
These complex clues should lead to a precise location somewhere in France, where a bronze replica of a real golden owl will be found underground. The winner will receive a precious gold original.
The world of foodies (as treasure hunters are called) was in uproar Thursday morning as news of the discovery spread.
“Finally – liberated!” read one post on the hunting chat line on the Discord forum.
“I didn’t think I would live to see this day,” wrote another. And: “It’s just like COVID. It’s good when it’s over.
“Oddly enough, I’m relieved. I’m now dying to know the solution and see if I’m on the right path,” another user commented.
Some hunters remain skeptical, fearing the cache may have been discovered with a metal detector. According to the rules, the discoverers must prove that they solved the puzzle correctly and did not stumble upon the owl by accident.
In the years after Mr. Valentine’s death, the hunt was mired in legal disputes, and not all owl hunters accepted the central role Mr. Becker inherited.
Mr. Becker himself had no knowledge of the buried owl. The solution came in a sealed envelope and was kept by Mr Valentine’s family.
But after the legal dilemma was resolved, Mr. Becker read the solution and went to the site to verify that the owl was still there.
In recent years, he’s posted more clues to the owl community, sparking interest in a new generation of foodies.
