die  Fundstelle

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfʊntʃtɛlə/

📍 What exactly is a Fundstelle?

The German word die Fundstelle has two main meanings:

1. A location where something was found: This often refers to archaeological, paleontological, or geological discoveries (archäologische, paläontologische oder geologische Entdeckungen). It can also be the place where a lost item or evidence (ein verlorener Gegenstand oder Beweismittel) was located (e.g., by the police).

   Example: An dieser Fundstelle entdeckten Archäologen römische Münzen. (At this discovery site, archaeologists unearthed Roman coins.)

2. A specific reference point in a text or document: Here, Fundstelle means a reference (ein Verweis) or citation (eine Referenz) to a specific passage, paragraph, or page in a book, legal text, scientific article, or other source (in einem Buch, Gesetzestext, wissenschaftlichen Artikel oder einer anderen Quelle). This information serves to substantiate a claim or make the source verifiable (nachprüfbar).

   Example: Bitte geben Sie die genaue Fundstelle für dieses Zitat an. (Please provide the exact reference/source location for this quote.)

🚨 Important: Don't confuse die Fundstelle with das Fundbüro (lost and found office).

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Die Fundstelle

Die Fundstelle is a feminine noun. The article is always die.

Example Sentences

• (Meaning: Location) Die Polizei sperrte die Fundstelle der Tatwaffe ab.
  (The police cordoned off the location where the murder weapon was found.)
• (Meaning: Location) Die Karte markiert mehrere interessante Fundstellen für Fossilien.
  (The map marks several interesting sites for finding fossils.)
• (Meaning: Reference) Der Anwalt verwies auf eine Fundstelle im Bürgerlichen Gesetzbuch.
  (The lawyer referred to a specific passage/reference in the Civil Code.)
• (Meaning: Reference) In meiner Doktorarbeit muss ich alle Fundstellen genau angeben.
  (In my doctoral thesis, I must cite all references accurately.)

💬 When and How to Use "Fundstelle"?

The use of die Fundstelle heavily depends on the context:

• Archaeology/Paleontology/Geology: Here it denotes the specific site of a discovery (e.g., die Fundstelle eines Dinosaurierskeletts - the discovery site of a dinosaur skeleton). It is more precise than the more general term der Fundort (find location).
• Criminology: Can refer to the location where evidence or a body was found (die Fundstelle der Leiche - the location where the body was found).
• Academic Writing/Law/Literary Studies: It's a key term for the precise reference to a source (book, article, law). One speaks of Angabe der Fundstelle (providing the reference) or Nachprüfung der Fundstelle (checking the reference). It's more specific than a simple Zitat (quote), as it refers to the location of the quote within the source.
• Everyday Language: Less common in everyday conversation for the place where you find something lost, but possible.

In academic and legal contexts, correctly citing Fundstellen is essential for credibility and traceability.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Fundstelle"

Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in -e, especially abstract concepts or things related to places, are feminine. Think of die Stelle (the place, the spot) – and you've got die Fundstelle!

Meaning Mnemonic: Break down the word: Fund (find, discovery) + Stelle (place, spot, position). It's the 'spot' or 'place' (Stelle) of the 'find' (Fund) – either a physical discovery (like an artifact) or a piece of information found in a text (a reference point).

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

😂 A Little Joke

German: Warum nehmen Archäologen immer einen Bleistift mit zur Ausgrabung? – Damit sie die Fundstelle genau notieren können!

English: Why do archaeologists always bring a pencil to the excavation site? – So they can pinpoint (literally: note down) the discovery site (Fundstelle)! ✏️

📜 Poem about Fundstelle

German:

Im Sand der Zeit, tief verborgen lag,
ein alter Krug, ans Licht gebracht am Tag.
Die Fundstelle, markiert, ein Punkt so klein,
doch birgt Geschichte, alt und fein.

Im Buch des Rechts, Paragraf, Satz,
da liegt die Antwort, ein wahrer Schatz.
Die Fußnote zeigt, genau und klar,
die Fundstelle, wunderbar!

English Translation:

In sands of time, concealed from sight,
An ancient jug, brought forth to light.
The finding spot, marked out, a dot so small,
Yet holds old history, enthralling all.

In books of law, paragraph, line,
The answer lies, a treasure's shine.
The footnote shows, precise and clear,
The reference point, held ever dear!

❓ Riddle

German:

Ich bin ein Ort, doch hab kein Haus,
mal bring ich Schätze, mal 'nen Graus.
Ich bin ein Punkt in Buch und Schrift,
wo man Beweise oder Quellen trifft.

Mal lieg ich draußen, mal im Saal,
bin Archäologen erste Wahl.
Mal steh ich klein am Seitenrand,
bin Juristen wohlbekannt.

Wie heiß ich?

English:

I am a place, but have no house,
Sometimes bring treasures, sometimes douse
Your hopes. I'm a point in books and script,
Where evidence or sources are equipped.

Sometimes outside, sometimes indoors,
I'm archaeologists' first choice, of course.
Sometimes I'm small in margins penned,
Well-known to lawyers, my good friend.

What am I?

Solution: die Fundstelle

💡 Other Information

Word Composition

Die Fundstelle is a compound noun (Kompositum):

• Der Fund: Noun derived from the verb stem of finden (to find). Refers to the thing found or the act of finding.
• Die Stelle: Means place, spot, position, passage.

Together, the meaning is: The place/position of the find.

Trivia

• The term is particularly important in academic disciplines (history, archaeology, law, philology) for the methodology and traceability of research (Methodik und Nachvollziehbarkeit von Forschung).
• Correctly citing Fundstellen is often a crucial part of academic training.