Legal Definitions - thesauri inventio

Thesauri Inventio

Thesauri inventio is a Latin term that means "discovery of treasure." In Roman law, it refers to the principle that the person who finds treasure becomes the owner of it, either fully or partially.

For example, if someone discovers a buried treasure in their backyard, they would become the owner of that treasure under the principle of thesauri inventio. Similarly, if a person finds a lost wallet on the street, they would become the owner of the money and other valuables inside.

These examples illustrate how the principle of thesauri inventio works. It gives the finder of treasure the right to claim ownership, even if the original owner is unknown or cannot be found. However, there are some exceptions to this principle, such as if the treasure is found on someone else's property or if it is considered to be of historical or cultural significance.