An unusual incident has sparked a heated debate among German heritage protectors that raises crucial questions about the handling of historic material and the role of amateur researchers. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT A so-called "dirt detective" carried out an illegal excavation in the ruins of Metilstein Castle near Eisenach, a site close to Wartburg Castle, one of Germany's most famous castles. In 1999, it was the first German castle to be placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List (source in