find spot / reference
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find spot
A place where something special or sought-after was found, especially in archaeological excavations, paleontology, or police investigations.
Die Archäologen haben die Fundstelle der römischen Münzen weiträumig abgesperrt.
The archaeologists cordoned off a wide area around the find spot of the Roman coins.
reference
A precise indication of where a particular piece of information can be found in a text, law, or document.
Bitte geben Sie bei Zitaten immer die genaue Fundstelle im Originaltext an.
Please always provide the exact reference in the original text when citing.
The word is made up of 'der Fund' (find) and 'die Stelle' (place/spot). So it literally means 'the place of a find.' This helps you understand both meanings: a physical place and a 'place' in a text.
Die Polizei hat die Fundstelle der gestohlenen Ware entdeckt.
The police discovered the find spot of the stolen goods.
The context makes it clear which meaning is intended. Words like 'Archäologie' (archaeology), 'Polizei' (police), or 'Ausgrabung' (excavation) point to the physical place. Terms like 'Text' (text), 'Zitat' (quote), 'Gesetz' (law), or 'Seite' (page) refer to the place in a document.
Die Paläontologen sicherten die Fundstelle des Dinosaurierskeletts.
The paleontologists secured the find spot of the dinosaur skeleton.
When referring to a physical place, the find spot is often 'discovered,' 'secured,' or 'cordoned off.' These verbs are typical in archaeological or police contexts.
Nach dem Leichenfund wurde die Fundstelle weiträumig abgesperrt.
After the body was found, a wide area around the find spot was cordoned off.
When a place in a text is meant, the reference is often 'provided,' 'named,' 'cited,' or 'documented.' These verbs are typical in academic or legal contexts.
Für eine gute wissenschaftliche Arbeit muss man jede Fundstelle exakt angeben.
For a good academic paper, you have to provide every reference precisely.
In the meaning of 'Textstelle' (passage in a text), the word is typical of academic, administrative, and legal language. It is used whenever one needs to refer precisely to a source.
Der Anwalt prüfte die Fundstelle im Vertrag sehr genau.
The lawyer examined the reference in the contract very carefully.
source
The Quelle (source) identifies where information comes from, such as a particular website or document. The Fundstelle (reference) specifies more precisely where within that text or document the information appears. Quelle fits the document as a whole, while Fundstelle fits the exact section.
Die genaue Fundstelle dieser Zahl ist Abschnitt drei auf derselben Webseite.
The exact reference for this figure is section three on the same website.
Die Webseite der Stadt ist die Quelle für diese Zahl.
The city’s website is the source of this figure.
