Who Were Our First Archaeologists?

KAREL ABSOLON

(1887–1960)

was a zoologist, speleologist and paleoantropologist, professor of Charles University and keen campaigner for natural sciences. He followed in his grandfather’s footsteps, the famous Moravian archaeologist J. Wankel Mudr., and established a cave research group whose members discovered stalactites in the Punkevní Caves. Thanks to his intrepid nature he descended many times to the Macocha Gorge as well. His research notes were published in Kras Moravský. As a result of his findings, his vital field of archaeological research cast many insights on the Old Stone Age. He was also highly acclaimed for his discoveries in Dolní Věstonice in the years 1924–1938.

JAN AXAMIT

(1870–1931)

was originally a specialist ear, nose and throat doctor from Prague. The self taught Czech archaeologist had been introduced to the field by Břetislav Jelínek; Axamit later introduced Jaroslav Petrbok to archaeology. At the time of the Great War he was briefly head the Prehistoric Department of the National Museum and from 1918, he worked as a conservationist for National Heritage. Other activities included collaboration with the State Archaeological Institute in Prague and on excavations in caves in the Czech Karst area. Most of his archaeological discoveries are deposited currently in the National Museum in Prague.

KAREL JOSEF BIENER, rytíř z BIENBERKA

(1731–1798)

was a topographist, construction engineer and pioneer of Czech archaeology. He worked on the excavation of the Josefov fortifications and went on to map out Czech, Moravian and Silesian Lands. His most important work was an analysis of prehistoric excavations that had been discovered in the fortification of Hradec Králové. It was through his efforts that the first survey of prehistoric discoveries in the Czech Lands was produced. He also published historical essays and collected heraldry.

JAROSLAV BÖHM

(1901–1962)

was a Czech archaeologist specializing in prehistoric archaeology. After a short period working in the Department of Prehistory in the National Museum he took a post at the Prague Archaeological Institute, where in 1939, he became the director. For his doctoral thesis in Charles University he wrote, The Foundations of the Hallstatt’s Period in the Czech Lands. He was in charge of excavations: in Třebechovice, in Staré Hradisko near Prostějov, in the cave Domica and in the Slovanian fortification Libušín. He believed in large scale excavations that developed contemporary research methods. In 1952 he was one of the founders of the Czechoslovakian Academy of Science. Ten years later in Rome he was appointed the President of International Union of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Science.

IVAN BORKOVSKÝ

(1897–1976)

was a renowned archaeologist who worked mainly in Prague. He specialized in Early Middle Ages and researched the development of Prague settlements in this period. He is one of the founders of Czech medieval archaeology. From 1925, he participated in large scale archaeological excavations in Prague Castle, and in 1943, he was put in charge of the project. Many excavations such as: the Anežský Monastery, Betlémská Chapel, Bartolomějská Street and at Vyšehrad bear his fingerprint.

KAREL BUCHTELA

(1864–1946)

was a self taught Czech archaeologist and was rewarded for his efforts when he was appointed the director of the Czechoslovakian Archaeological Institute in 1924. As co-author of the Manuscripts of Czech Archaeology, he created a major landmark for Czech modern archaeology that is valid even today.

INOCENC LADISLAV ČERVINKA

(1869–1952)

he had qualified originally as a land surveyor but later he became the most highly recognized Moravian archaeologist at the turn of the nineteenth to twentieth century. From 1903, he worked as a conservationist of the National Heritage in Moravia and following that by working in the State Archaeology Institute in Prague. It was a busy year; he also began to publish the magazine “Pravěk” (Prehistory) and three years later he went on to establish the Moravian Archaeological Society. He was also one of the pioneers of Czech numismatics. From the end of the nineteenth century he had created one of the largest private archaeological collections in Moravia.

LUDVÍK DOMEČKA

(1861–1937)

his original profession was law but he was also a self taught archaeologist specializing in the Bronze Age. After seven years of practising law he was appointed the director of the Hradec Králové’s Museum between the years of 1895-1922. There he extended archaeological collections and he actively collaborated on excavations in the whole region. His notes were summarized in the book Královéhradecko. Místopis soudního okresu Královéhradeckého, I., 1928, 1931, 1935. He published in thePamátky archeologické, Lumír, Czech Politics, Zora, Ruch, Národní listy aj.

BEDŘICH DUBSKÝ

(1880–1957)

was the most important South Bohemian archaeologist, also self taught, and was also employed as a teacher and headmaster in country schools. From 1911, he carried out archaeological excavations around Strakonice and Písek regions and specialized mainly in prehistoric and early medieval archaeology. He collaborated with the Czech Academy of Science and the National Museum in Prague, in addition, he also worked for the South Bohemian division of the State Archaeological Institute. He devoted almost fifty years to research and was a leading light on the subject field of South Bohemian prehistory.

FRANTIŠEK DVOŘÁK

(1896–1943)

was a medical doctor and renowned local archaeologist. In 1924, he was appointed the curator of the archaeological collection of the museum in Kolín, a place that he had already worked when building their collection as an eighteen year old student. His unique archaeological discoveries in the Kolín region made the Kolín Museum the most prestigious archaeological department outside of Prague. He was actively involved in dissent against the Nazi occupation and sadly was executed in 1943, by the Nazi regime.

JAN EISNER

(1885–1967)

was an archaeologist and honorary professor of general prehistoric archaeology in the Comenius University in Bratislava. He was a pioneer of modern Slovakian archaeology. Much of his work was published in the Heritage of Archaeology and Numismatics Magazine.

JAN FILIP

(1900–1981)

archaeologist, historian, professor at Charles University specializing in Czechoslovakian Celtic settlements in the Bronze and Iron Age. He wrote his doctorate thesis named ‘Urnfields and Beginnings of the Iron Age in Czech Lands’, in 1938 was awarded, , the prize Venia Decendi for prehistoric archaeology. In 1942, he was appointed the director of the State Archaeological Institute in Prague. Up to the end of the war he worked on inventories of archaeological collections in local museums to be ready for post-war exhibitions. In 1946, he was elected an honorary professor of the department of prehistory and protohistory in the Philosophical faculty of Charles University; three years later he was awarded a post. He was a member of the archaeology commission of the Czech Academy of Science and Arts. From 1951, he became an honorary member of the Czech Royal Society of Learning. When the Czechoslovakian Academy was established he joined firstly as a member –correspondent and then as an academic and finally as the chairman of the history department. Between the years 1963-1974, he worked as the director of the Archaeological Institute of ČSAV in Prague and was appointed the President of the International Union of Prehistoric and Protohistorical Sciences. It was through his strong perseverance and enthusiasm that he founded and edited the magazine, Archeologické rozhledy, for more than a quarter of the century.

FRANTIŠEK XAVER FRANC

(1839–1910)

was 15 years old when he first became interested in archaeology and later studied in Prague, eventually to become the Secretary of the City Museum. His research was focused on barrow burial sites and gained him recognition for the discovery of 74 ribs made of a copper and lead alloy. There is a nature trail nearby Šťáhlavy named after him.

ANTONÍN GOTTWALD

(1869–1941)

a teacher and Moravian self taught archaeologist who worked mainly in the Prostějov district between the 1920’s and 1930’s. His field of study included the flame barrows at Kosíř, Slatinky, Ohrozimi and included the discovery of a large German burial site. He uncovered thousands of barrows and explored the grounds of the Church of St. Peter and Paul in Prostějov. Most of his collections are kept in the City Museum in Prostějov, Olomouc, Brno and the National Museum in Prague.

KAREL GUTH

(1883–1943)

although initially a law student, he became the head of archaeological research of Prague Castle. He participated in the research of Czech medieval monuments and sowed the seeds of scientific and historically based archaeology his career was long and productive:

• 1915- Began work in the Country Conservation Institute in Prague.
• 1918- Accepted a post in the History and Archaeology Department of the National Museum, where it was thanks to his efforts for the enlargement of their collection.
• 1935- Awarded a degree in the History of Art.
• 1919- Worked in the Association of Czech Museums and specialized in the history of 10th and 11th century Czech architecture.
• 1925- Directed an extensive archaeological research project at Prague Castle until his death.

Other accomplishments and achievements were: directing research at Vyšehrad, cooperating on research at the monastery in Davle, authoring a study about the former appearance of the Bethlehem Chapel and the Příchovský Palace in Na příkopě Street in Prague.

He was a member of the archaeological committee of the Czech Academy of Arts and Science and was also interested in historical methods of construction.

JAN HELLICH

(1850–1931)

a chemist in Poděbrady, and self taught archaeologist who was well recognized in professional circles. He founded the Museum of Poděbrady in 1902, and closely cooperated with Proffessor Dr. J.L.Píč with whom he carried out much archaeological research.  Many of his articles were issued in magazines such as Památky archeologické (Archaeological Monuments) or Prehistorický obzor (Prehistoric Horizon) and he compiled an extensive treatise of Prehistory in Poděbrady. He closely cooperated with the National Museum in Prague, where he donated his most precious discoveries and became the Chairman of the Association of the Czech Museums in 1919.

JOSEF VOJTĚCH HELLICH

(1807–1880)

the academic painter, archaeologist and enthusiastic organizer of social life. He discovered his interest in archaeology in Italy while travelling around Europe and in 1841, became the curator of the archaeological collections of the National Museum until 1846; then he resumed painting. In 1849, he founded the Association of Graphic Artists and became its chairman.

FRANTIŠEK LEXA

(1876–1960)

the Egyptologist, Professor, founder of Egyptology at Charles University in Prague, and academician of ČSAV. He studied ancient Egyptian writing and translated one chapter of the Book of Dead. Due to this feat, he was encouraged to study Egyptology by Prof. Adolf Ermann in Berlin.  His work called, O poměru ducha, duše a těla u Egypťanů Staré říše, was published after WW I. He lectured on Egyptology at the university. Due to publishing several books, he helped to open the course on Egyptology at Charles University where he became its regular professor. In 1934/35 he was elected Dean of the University and in the 1950’s, he was inspired by his student Zbyněk Žába to found the Czech Egyptologic Institute based in Prague and Cairo which began operation in 1958.

JIŘÍ NEÚSTUPNÝ

(1905–1981)

the Czech archaeologist, methodologist and museologist. Whilst studying at Charles University he was a student of the professor L. Niederle, who significantly inspired his interest in archaeology. From 1925, he worked at the National Museum and became Head of the Prehistory Department in 1936, where he focused on Palaeolithic, Neolithic and Eneolithic periods as well as the methodology of archaeology. He supervised and established a prestigious history exhibition in the National Museum, then went on to publish several books; the most recognized of which is Prehistory of Humankind. He also worked in the teaching faculty of the university. There is also a street called after him in Prague 13.

LUBOR NIEDERLE

(1865–1944)

the anthropologist and archaeologist; from 1898, he worked at Charles University, where he became  the first professor of prehistoric archaeology, subsequently, between 1927 – 29, he also became the rector. At the same time he was the member of scientific academies in Prague, Leningrad, Sophia, Beograd, Zagreb, and Paris and focused on the prehistory of central Europe, mainly Slavic nations. He is considered the founder of the modern archaeology in our country. Among his well known works are Lidstvo v době předhistorické se zvláštním zřetelem na země slovanské, Rukověť české archeologie. However, the most important was the series of 11 books called Slovanské starožitnosti, where he thoroughly detailed Slavic prehistory. He founded and became the first Head of the National Archaeological Institute. He gave rise to many professionals such as Jan Eisner, Jan Filip, Jiří Neústupný.

JAROSLAV PETRBOK

(1881–1981)

the teacher, and self trained archaeologist. Despite his basic education, due to his self-study and connections with university scientists he developed remarkable expertise. He became one of the most renowned experts on the Quarternary period and its excavations. For most of his life he worked as a teacher and then pursued archaeology and palaeontology, often conducting research in Bulgaria, where he discovered important Palaeolithic remains and is recognized for awaking the public awareness of archaeological monuments.

JOSEF POULÍK

(1910–1998)

a leading light of the Czech archaeology. His career started as a laboratory technician of the Moravian State Museum participating in many research projects which later he would write about in the local press. As the Head of the State Archaeological Institute in Brno from 1962, he conducted an extensive archaeological dig in Moravia and led the biggest Czechoslovak research project in Mikulčice. The primary focus of his scientific interest lay in the Slavic period. Since 1947 he also led the Prague Archaeological Institute, which later joined with the institute in Brno in ARU ČSAV. In addition, he also worked as a professor at the university in Brno as an academic and Vice Chairman of ČSAV, and was also a laureate for the State Award.

ALBÍN STOCKÝ

(1876–1934)

originally he worked as a chemical engineer and a clerk in  the financial office of a sugar factory. He became engaged in archaeology at an advanced age. Still he graduated from Charles University and focused his interest in the Bronze, Halstadt and Neolithic Ages. As a chemist he also pursued conservation methods. In 1913, he was assigned to the Prehistory Department of the National Museum after J.L.Píč, where he founded a new inventory. In 1927, he was appointed the Professor of Prehistory at Charles University. Previously, in 1919, he wrote a detailed study about the Czech Neolithic period. The peak of his career was Pravěk země české Part I – Věk kamenný (Prehistory of the Czech lands - the Stone Age) issued in 1926. At the same time he published other works of which three volumes such as the Czech Lands in the Bronze, Stone and Iron ages were the most significant.

BEDŘICH SVOBODA

(1910–1975)

A significant Czech archaeologist who worked in ČSAV and was also a professor at university. He was also author to many professional studies. Apart from other projects he was engaged in the research of burial mounds dating back to the Bronze Age located in the woods “Kopcová” u Hostů.

EMANUEL ŠIMEK

(1883–1963)

after he had finished studying history, prehistory and geography, he started working as a teacher and clerk. In 1920, he was awarded a degree on his essay “Čechy a Morava za doby Římské “(the Czech and Moravian Lands of the Roman Period). In 1931, he started working at a new department of the University in Brno and wrote a number of so called critical essays such as “Keltové a Germáni v našich zemích (the Celts and Germans in our lands) , Velká Germanie Klaudia Ptolemaia I–IV (the Big Germania under Claudius Ptolemaios I-IV), Západní Slované a Germáni (the western Slavs and Germans) amongst others and finished university in 1958, when he also published the book “Poslední Keltové na Moravě“ (the last Celts in Moravia).

EDUARD ŠTORCH

(1878–1956)

known mainly as a writer, but also as a teacher and archaeologist specialising on prehistory. As a teacher, he stressed the importance of getting to know the life of particular periods and not only memorizing dates and bare facts. Together with Karel Čondl, they decided to issue the textbook of history in three parts called “Pracovní učebnice dějepisu pro školy měšťanské“, which was very progressive for its time and made the issue widely debated.

RUDOLF TUREK

(1910–1991)

an archaeologist working in the National Museum of Prague.

He discovered the foundations of the church belonging to the family of Slavníkovci and also the foundations of the noble palaces on the acropolis of the fortified settlement in Libice and Blatná. As a prominent expert on the beginnings of Czech history he directed his interest on the early Middle Ages. Partly he devoted himself to his native town Mladá Boleslav.

JINDŘICH WANKEL

(1821–1897)

a doctor, researcher in the Karst area, and amateur archaeologist.

He was an eminent personality of the Moravian archaeology of the 19th century and first studied in Prague before graduating in Vienna in 1948, he cooperated closely with other scientists from the field of zoology, palaeontology and archaeology. He was inspired by Professor J.Hyrtl at Vienna University; however, since 1848 he worked as a doctor in Blansko. In the 19th century, he mapped many of the caves of the Moravian karst, and in this way sowed the seeds of Moravian palaeontology. At the same time, he managed to save many precious finds from thieves and went on to invent his own preserving methods and made up skeletons of Pleistocene animals. For that purpose he founded the first Cenozoic laboratory in the world in Blansko 1850, and it was here that he reconstructed the first skeleton of a cave bear. Many foreign museums, such as in Munich or Bern, came to him to make up skeletons. He presented the results of his researches at many world archaeological congresses.