Hans-Georg Bandi

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Hans-Georg Bandi (born September 3, 1920 in Thun ; † February 6, 2016 in Bern ) was a Swiss prehistoric scientist . His research focus was in the area of paleolithic and Mesolithic archeology, as well as the archeology of Arctic Eskimos.

Live and act

Studies, academic career and securing archaeological sites

Hans-Georg Bandi was born in Thun in 1920 as the son of the Swiss officer Hans Bandi . From 1941 to 1945 he studied prehistory and early history with Hugo Obermaier at the University of Freiburg . In 1945 he received his doctorate there . The topic of his dissertation was «The Magdalenian of Switzerland». Bandi worked as an academic teacher at the University of Bern from 1950 to 1985 . First from 1950 to 1956 as associate professor, then from 1956 as professor of prehistory and palaeo-ethnography. As associate professor in 1950 he was the first professor at the newly founded seminar for prehistory at the University of Bern. At the same time he became part-time head of the Department of Prehistory and Early History at the Bern Historical Museum . In addition to his academic teaching and museum activity, Bandi was responsible for archaeological sites and excavations throughout the Canton of Bern until 1970. As such, he campaigned for the securing of sites. He initiated the Federal Council resolutions in 1961 on the archaeological supervision of the national road construction and in 1962 on the second correction of the Jura waters. On his initiative, the Archaeological Service of the Canton of Bern was founded in 1970. From 1961 to 1962 he was dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and History at the University of Bern.

From 1958 to 1961 he was President of the Swiss Society for Prehistory and Early History , from 1963 to 1964 President of the Swiss Society for Anthropology and Ethnology, and from 1968 to 1975 President of the Swiss Humanities Society . In 1986 he was one of the founders of the Swiss-Liechtenstein Foundation for Archaeological Research Abroad (SLSA).

Bandi had been married since 1945. 1993 awarded him the University of Neuchâtel , the honorary doctorate .

Arctic research and further field research

In 1948 he took part in the Dansk Pearyland Ekspedition with Jørgen Meldgaard and carried out archaeological excavations in prehistoric Inuit settlements in northeast Greenland on Clavering Island . Participation in the expedition came about through Bandi's translation of the book "The Eskimos" by the Danish Arctic explorer Kaj Birket-Smith . This trip had a lasting impact on Bandi and sparked his interest in Arctic exploration. In 1959, from 1962 to 1963 and from 1972 to 1974 he was visiting professor at the universities of Providence and Fairbanks and used these opportunities to conduct fieldwork in Alaska .

During his archaeological career he carried out several large excavation projects. For example, together with Hansjürgen Müller-Beck, the investigation of Neolithic lakeside settlements on Lake Burgäschisee, the investigation of the Mesolithic site of Birsmatten, the investigation of the base grotto in Birstal, or the excavations on the St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea .

literature

  • Roland Brechbühl: Bandi, Hans-Georg. In: Historical Lexicon of Switzerland .
  • Rudolf Fellmann, Georg Germann, Karl Zimmermann (eds.): Hunting and collecting. Festschrift for Hans-Georg Bandi on the occasion of his 65th birthday (September 3, 1985) (= yearbook of the Bernisches Historisches Museum vol. 63–64). Stämpfli, Bern 1985 (with list of publications).

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Bandi, Hans-Georg
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Swiss prehistoric
DATE OF BIRTH September 3, 1920
PLACE OF BIRTH Tuna
DATE OF DEATH February 6, 2016
Place of death Bern