Treasure hunt for buried gold owl statue worth $165,000 comes to an end after 31 years

After a nail-biting 31 years, the treasure hunt of a lifetime has wrapped up with a thrilling finale!

The Golden Owl, a treasure buried in France back in 1993 as part of a cryptic challenge in the book On The Trail Of The Golden Owl, has been unearthed, the New York Post reports.

The hunt has gripped puzzle enthusiasts and treasure seekers alike, drawing in over 200,000 players worldwide, per the official website of the hunt. Those taking part searched tirelessly to be the one to unearth an owl statue made of gold, silver, and diamonds.

Michel Becker - the treasure hunt organizer - made the announcement on the morning of 3/10/2024 to the hunt's official Discord server.

The hunt was inspired by book Sur la trace de la Chouette d’Or. Credit: Amazon

Following verification, Becker gleefully announced: "Don’t go digging! We confirm that the Golden Owl countermark was unearthed last night, simultaneously with a solution upload to the online verification system."

Additionally, the Chouettedor.com official website confirms the owl was found on October 3 - after 11,485 days!

The stunning owl sculpture, forged from 3kg of gold and 7kg of silver, has its face adorned with diamond chips, has been valued at a whopping 150,000 euros ($165,000), according to Newsweek.

With so much up for grabs - and the allure of a good treasure hunt - the community of 'owlers' was born and has been desperately searching for the stature for over 30 years. Enthusiasts often gathered at events across France to exchange clues and share theories, creating a rich tapestry of camaraderie and adventure.

The hunt was the brainchild of Regis Hauser, under the pseudonym Max Valentin, who, alongside Becker, sparked a treasure-hunting craze that would span decades. Though Valentin passed away in 2009, his legacy lived on through the continued pursuit of the owl.

The hunt's conclusion has drawn mixed emotions, with fans expressing both joy and sadness over the end of an era. "Time to get the tissues out," shared one owler, reflecting the sentimental journey it has been for many.

The hunt spanned for three decades across France. Credit: genekrebs / Getty

As Owlers await answers - such as the name of the lucky winner (with some even questioning the validity of the claim) - the story of the Golden Owl may have more twists left.

But for now, the chapter closes on one of the most engrossing treasure hunts in modern history.

Featured image credit: South_agency / Getty