der  Fundort

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfʊntɔʁt/

🗺️ Where Was It Found? The Meaning of Fundort

The German noun der Fundort (masculine, article der) refers to the specific place or location where something was found. This can relate to archaeological finds, lost items, crime scenes in criminal investigations, or the natural habitat of plants or minerals.

It is a compound word formed from der Fund (the find/discovery) and der Ort (the place/location).

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: der Fundort

The noun 'Fundort' is masculine. Here are the declension tables:

Singular

Plural

Example Sentences

1. Der Archäologe markierte den Fundort der antiken Vase auf der Karte.
   (The archaeologist marked the location where the ancient vase was found on the map.)
2. Die Polizei sperrte den Fundort der Waffe weiträumig ab.
   (The police cordoned off the area where the weapon was found.)
3. Dieser Wald ist der einzige bekannte Fundort dieser seltenen Orchidee.
   (This forest is the only known location of this rare orchid.)
4. An den verschiedenen Fundorten wurden ähnliche Werkzeuge entdeckt.
   (Similar tools were discovered at the various find spots.)

📌 When to Use 'Fundort'?

The term 'Fundort' is used to precisely describe the location of a discovery. Typical contexts include:

• Archaeology & Paleontology: Describing the site where fossils, artifacts, or ruins were found.
• Forensics: The place where evidence, a body, or stolen goods were discovered (which may or may not be the same as the Tatort, crime scene).
• Botany & Geology: The location where a specific plant species grows or a mineral occurs.
• Everyday life: The place where you find something lost (e.g., keys, wallet).

Compared to Ort (place) or Stelle (spot), Fundort emphasizes the aspect of being found.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Here are a couple of ideas to help remember 'der Fundort':

Article Aid: Think of der Ort (the place). Since 'Ort' is masculine, 'der Fundort' is also masculine.

Meaning Aid: Imagine you make a Fund (find) at a specific Ort (place) – that's the Fundort.

🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms

⚠️ Caution: Tatort (crime scene) is not always the same as Fundort. For example, the location where a body is found (Fundort) might be far from the actual crime scene (Tatort).

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Archäologe seinen Kollegen: "Ist das der Fundort der antiken Münze?"
Kollege: "Nein, das ist nur der Ort, wo ich gestern mein Kleingeld verloren habe."

(Archaeologist asks his colleague: "Is this the spot where the ancient coin was found?"
Colleague: "No, that's just the place where I lost my loose change yesterday.")

📜 A Poem About the Fundort

Wo Staub der Zeit verbirgt den Schatz,
liegt still und stumm der Fundort-Platz.
Ein Scherbenstück, ein alter Stein,
erzählt Geschichte, fein und klein.
Der Spaten gräbt, das Herz pocht schnell,
am Fundort wird die Wahrheit hell.

(Where dust of time conceals the prize,
Silent and mute the find-spot lies.
A shard, an ancient stone so small,
Tells history, standing tall.
The spade digs deep, the heart beats fast,
At the find-spot, truth is cast.)

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin kein Schatz, doch halt ihn fest.
Ich bin kein Täter, doch Ort vom Rest.
Ich zeige, wo die Suche endet,
und Wissen neu ans Licht gesendet.

Was bin ich? (What am I?)

(Solution: der Fundort)

(I'm not the treasure, but hold it tight.
I'm not the culprit, but hold the site.
I show where the long search has ceased,
And knowledge newly is released.
What am I?)

💡 Other Information

Word Composition:

The term 'Fundort' is a compound noun, composed of:

• der Fund: The find, the discovery.
• der Ort: The place, the location, the site.

The main noun determining the gender is 'Ort' (masculine). Therefore, the compound noun is also masculine: der Fundort.