In his new, richly illustrated book, the renowned author Erwin Burgsteiner explores the history of stone hunting in the Rauris Valley, a tradition that dates back to the Stone Age. The valley has always been a mineralogical center, as gold was mined here for centuries, and people were equally interested in crystals. While these were initially a sought-after raw material for crafting magnificent vessels during the time of the archbishops, the search for precious stones only developed into a collecting activity among the local population at the end of the 19th century. In Rauris, it was Josef Pfeiffenberger Sr. who ushered in this era of collecting, and others later followed his example. Since the mountains in the Rauris Valley contain many crevices with magnificent rock crystals and rare minerals, stone hunters from the valley and those from further afield have searched for them ever since. In his book, the author documents the success of these collectors in words and pictures. He also includes anecdotes that occur on the sidelines and sometimes bring a smile to the face of the subject.
 247 pages, numerous color photos and illustrations. Format 21.5 x 28.5 cm. Hardcover. 2022.