Hubert Schmidt (prehistoric)

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Hubert Schmidt (born August 6, 1864 in Laurahütte ; † March 1, 1933 in Berlin ) was a German prehistoric expert , curator at the prehistoric department of the Berlin museums and professor at the University of Berlin .

resume

Youth and Education (1864-1891)

Hubert Schmidt was born in the Upper Silesian village of Laurahütte ( district of Beuthen , since 1873 district of Katowice ) as the son of the ironworks inspector Ferdinand Schmidt and Elisa Brombosch. After the early death of his father, he moved with his mother to Breslau , where he attended school and the Johannesgymnasium , where he graduated from high school in 1883. At the University of Breslau he began studying classical philology , history and classical archeology , among others with Eduard Meyer , and went to Berlin in autumn 1887 after seven semesters. For four semesters he attended exercises by Ernst Curtius , Adolf Furtwängler and Carl Robert at the University of Berlin . He spent the winter of 1889/90 working on his dissertation on archaeological notes on the poetry of Hesiod and in 1890, at the end of the doctoral process, followed his teacher Robert, who had received a call to the University of Halle .

From Classical Antiquity to Prehistory (1891–1908)

In December 1891 Schmidt started as a volunteer in the museum service at the Antiquarium of the Royal Museums in Berlin, but left the house soon enough to go on an extensive study trip to the sites of classical antiquity with the travel grant of the German Archaeological Institute . In Athens he received Wilhelm Dörpfeld's invitation to participate in the excavation campaign of 1893/94 in Hissarlik, the site of ancient Troy . Schmidt, who had previously mainly dealt with classical archeology, first came into contact with prehistoric finds that he had to sort out after the excavation in Constantinople. After continuing his study trip to Italy, Schmidt returned to Berlin in 1895. In 1896 he returned to the museum service as a research assistant in order to catalog the Schliemann collection in Berlin and to reorganize its exhibition as well as to edit the ceramics of the Troy excavation for publication.

After completing the work on the finds from Troy, Schmidt was taken on as a research assistant at the prehistory department of the museums and in 1905, alongside Alfred Götze and Karl Brunner, he was employed as assistant director of the then director of the prehistory and early history department, Albert Voss . After a new step in the scientific management level of the museums had been created with the curators in 1908, which was usually filled with the senior assistant director, Schmidt was given the position of curator.

As early as January 1901, Schmidt became a member of the Berlin Society for Anthropology, Ethnology and Prehistory , founded by Rudolf Virchow , of which he was a member of the Prehistoric Commission from 1909 to 1919 and which supported his archaeological expeditions several times financially.

As part of practical field work, Schmidt took part in the last excavation campaign in Sam'al-Sendschirli in 1902 under the direction of Felix von Luschan and in 1904 in Raphael Pumpelly's expedition to Turkestan , during which Schmidt took over the archaeological management of the excavations in Anau and Alt Merw had.

Archeology in the Danube Region (1909–1919)

Since 1908, Schmidt tried to obtain permission from the Romanian authorities to carry out excavations on a hill between the villages of Băiceni and Cucuteni , but this was only granted to him after personal intervention by the new museum director in Berlin Carl Schuchhardt . Financed by the Rudolf Virchow Foundation, Schmidt was able to carry out two excavation campaigns in autumn 1909 and autumn 1910, supported in the second year by Gerhard Bersu , who was still a student in Tübingen at the time. Although isolated finds from the area were already known, the company is considered to be the first systematic excavation at this site and the basis of archaeological research in Romania.

During the First World War, Schmidt carried out another excavation in Romania in 1917 and 1918 in the place Sărata Monteoru , whose archaeological significance had been known since 1907. He later reported briefly on the excavation results, but could no longer publish the results.

Teaching at the Berlin University (1920–1933)

After Schmidt had already held events as a private lecturer at the University of Berlin since his habilitation on ceramics from the La Tène period, and had been awarded the title of professor in 1913, he was officially appointed unpaid associate professor at the philosophical faculty in 1920. In the prehistory and early history department of the Berlin museums, Götze and Brunner have also been custodians since 1920. When extensive cost-cutting measures were taken in the civil service in the course of the global economic crisis in the German Reich, Schmidt was put into temporary retirement on April 1, 1924 on the basis of the Prussian staff reduction regulations. In 1926 he received another teaching assignment on the subject of "Prehistoric Relations between Europe and the Orient".

Although Schmidt had been paralyzed on one side after a stroke since 1928, he continued to work on the publication of the results of his excavations in Cucuteni almost two decades ago. In addition, during the vacancy that occurred for several years (1929–1934) after the death of Max Ebert , he also represented the Chair of Prehistory and Protohistory.

Hubert Schmidt remained unmarried and lived in Belfortstrasse from 1914 until his death. 31 in Steglitz , today Klingsorstr. 31 in the Berlin district of Steglitz-Zehlendorf . On March 1, 1933, he died as a result of another stroke and was buried in the cemetery at the Wilmersdorf crematorium .

meaning

The importance of the scientific work of Hubert Schmidt lies above all in the introduction of a systematic and critical approach in field work, the precise observation of stratigraphy , found circumstances and surroundings as well as their documentation. His basic description of the excavation in Anau was reprinted again in 2003 in a summarizing publication about the place and his excavation in Cucuteni not only forms the basis for the chronological classification of the Cucuteni-Tripolje culture , which is still valid today , but is also known in Romania as Start of systematic archaeological research in this country considered. Many of Schmidt's essays have a monographic character due to the systematic treatment of the subject that goes beyond a simple presentation.

Through his excavations and study trips as well as his museum activities, Schmidt had a comprehensive knowledge of archaeological finds from all over Europe, the Middle East to Central Asia, so that he could also competently make cross-regional comparisons and incorporate them into his teaching activities, even if his attempts to explain cultural developments through ethnic migrations have their origins in their time and are now largely out of date.

Publications (selection)

  • Observationes archaeologicae in carmina Hesiodea. (Phil. Diss.). E. Karras, Halle 1891. 34 p. (Also published in: Dissertationes philologicae Halenses , Vol. 12. Niemeyer, Halle 1894). ( Digitized version )
  • Heinrich Schliemann's collection of Trojan antiquities. Described by Hubert Schmidt. Issued by the General Administration. Georg Reimer, Berlin 1902. ( digitized version ) (Reviews: NN, in: Journal of Hellenic Studies , Vol. 24, 1904, p. 169).
  • The ceramics of the various layers (pp. 243–319); The clay spindle whorls (pp. 423–428); Treren or Cimmerians in Troy (pp. 594–600). In: Wilhelm Dörpfeld: Troja and Ilion. Results of the excavations in the prehistoric and historical layers of Ilion 1870-1894. With the participation of Alfred Brückner, Hans von Fritze, Alfred Götze, Hubert Schmidt, Wilhelm Wilberg, Hermann Winnefeld. Beck & Barth, Athens 1902. ( digitized version ).
  • Archaeological Excavations in Anau and Old Merv. In: Raphael Pumpelly (Ed.): Explorations in Turkestan; Expedition of 1904. Prehistoric Civilizations of Anau, Origins, Growth, and Influence of Environment. Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington 1908. ( Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication , Vol. 73). Vol. 1, pp. 81-210 (digitized volume 1 , volume 2 ). Partly reprinted under the title: 1904 Excavations at Anau North. In: Fredrik T. Hiebert / Kakamurad Kurbansakhatov (ed.): A Central Asian village at the Dawn of civilization. Excavations at Anau, Turkmenistan. Philadelphia 2003, ISBN 1-931707-50-2 , pp. 174-193. ( University Museum Monograph , vol. 116). ( Digitized version )
  • Guide to the Prehistory Department. Royal Museums in Berlin. Reimer, Berlin 1913.
  • Estudios acerca de los principios de la edad de los metals en España. Translation into Spanish by Pedro Bosch Gimpera . Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid 1915. 65 pp. (Comisión de investigaciones paleontológicas y prehistóricas. Memorias , Vol. 8) ( PDF; 11.9 MB ). (Translation of the articles Der Bronzefund von Canena (Bez. Halle). From the PrZs 1909 (partially) and On the Prehistory of Spain. From the ZfE 1913.)
  • Prehistory of Europe. Basics of the old European cultural development. Vol. I: Stone and Bronze Age. (no longer published) Teubner, Leipzig 1924. 105 pp. ( Aus Natur u. Geisteswelt , vol. 571). (Reviews: E. Wahle, in: Geographische Zeitschrift , Volume 31, 1925, p. 369; Vere Gordon Childe , in: Man , Vol. 25, 1925, pp. 109–110; NN, in: The Antiquaries Journal , Vol. 5, 1925, pp. 457 f.)
  • Cucuteni in Upper Vltava, Romania. The fortified settlement with painted ceramics from the Stone Copper Age to the fully developed Bronze Age. de Gruyter, Berlin / Leipzig 1932. (Reviews: Vere Gordon Childe, in: Man , Vol. 33, 1933, p. 184; Hetty Goldman , in: American Journal of Archeology , Vol. 37, 1933, p. 183; R (aymond). L (antier). In: Revue archéologique , 6. Série, Vol. 6, 1935, pp. 187–188; further reviews in Ursulescu, see literature) Reprinted with a foreword by Mădălin-Cornel Văleanu. Ed. Tehnopress, Iaşi 2006. ( full text in the Google book search); Translation into Romanian by Gianina Bistrițan, edited and with a preface by Mădălin-Cornel Văleanu: Cucuteni din Moldova - România: aşezarea fortificată cu ceramică pictată, din epoca pietrei şi cuprului şi până înii apogeul. Ed. Tehnopress, Iaşi 2007, ISBN 978-973-702440-4 ( full text in the Google book search).
  • Tell Halaf. Vol. 1: The prehistoric finds. Edited by Hubert Schmidt. With an introduction to the complete works of Max Freiherr von Oppenheim. de Gruyter, Berlin 1943. (Reviews: Franz Hančar , in: Archive for Orient Research , Vol. 15, 1945–1951, pp. 117–120.)

literature

  • Schmidt, Hubert. In: Herrmann AL Degener (Ed.): Who is it? 8th edition. Berlin 1922, Col. 1370 f .; 9th edition. Berlin 1928, p. 1373.
  • Schmidt, Hubert. In: Kürschner's German Scholars Calendar for the year 1926. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin / Leipzig 1926, column 1716.
  • Hans Seger : Hubert Schmidt †. In: Prehistorische Zeitschrift , Vol. 23, 1933, pp. 375–377.
  • Wilhelm Unverzagt : Hubert Schmidt †. In: Berliner Museen , 54th year, 1933, pp. 42–43.
  • Walter Matthes: Hubert Schmidt and his last work. An obituary for an Upper Silesian scholar. In: Der Oberschlesier , 15th year, 1933, pp. 1–5.
  • R (aymond). L (antier). : Hubert Schmidt (1864-1933). In: Revue archéologique , 6th series, vol. 1, 1933, 240 f.
  • David Moore Robinson : Archaeological News and Discussions. Necrology. In: American Journal of Archeology , Vol. 38, 1934, p. 285.
  • Hans Gummel : History of Research in Germany. de Gruyter, Berlin 1938, pp. 454–455. (= Karl Hermann Jacob-Friesen (Hrsg.): Prehistoric research and its historical development in the civilized states of the earth , Vol. 1 (no more published))
  • Carl Schuchhardt: From life and work. de Gruyter, Berlin 1944.
  • Lucian Nastasă Kovács: Hubert Schmidt şi civilizația “cucuteniană”. In: Dacia Literară , Vol. V, no. 2, Iaşi 1994, pp. 26-27.
  • Heinz Grünert : Gustaf Kossinna (1858–1931). From Germanist to prehistoric. A scientist in the German Empire and in the Weimar Republic. Verlag Marie Leidorf, Rahden / Westfalen 2002 (= Prehistoric Research , Vol. 22. ISSN  0176-6570 ). Pp. 160-162.
  • Wilfried Menghin (Ed.): The Berlin Museum for Pre- and Early History. Festschrift for the 175th anniversary. Berlin 2005, ISBN 978-3-88609-907-8 , (= Acta Praehistorica et Archaeologica , ISSN  0341-1184 , Vol. 36/37, 2004/05), pp. 156-158, 548 and passim.
  • Nicolae Ursulescu: Cucuteni: Ecouri în epocă ale monografiei lui Hubert Schmidt. (Cucuteni. Contemporary echoes on the publication by Hubert Schmidt.) Editura Universității, Iaşi 2009. 166 pp. ISBN 978-973-703456-4 , (= Scripta archaeologica et historica dacoromaniae , Vol. 1) (Reprint and translation of 12 reviews about the work, biographical abstracts and obituaries about the author).
  • Achim Leube : Prehistory between the Empire and the reunified Germany. 100 years of prehistory and early history at the Berlin University Unter den Linden. Habelt, Bonn 2010, ISBN 978-3-7749-3629-4 (= Studies on the Archeology of Europe , Vol. 10), p. 44.
  • Nicolae Ursulescu / Mădălin-Cornel Văleanu: Prima publicație a lui Hubert Schmidt despre săpăturile de la Cucuteni. ( The First Publication of Hubert Schmidt's regarding the Excavations of Cucuteni. ) In: Cercetări istorice (serie nouă), Vol. 24–26, 2005–2007 (Iaşi 2010), pp. 11–35 ( PDF; 9.3 MB ) .
  • Michael Blech: Hubert Schmidt. In: Margarita Díaz-Andreu (ed.): Diccionario histórico de la arqueología en España (siglos XV – XX) . Marcial Pons, Madrid 2009, p. 599.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Both the catalog and the excavation publication appeared in 1902 (see publications).
  2. ↑ Karl Brunner († 1938), assistant director since 1899, was head of the collection for German folklore from 1904 until his retirement in 1928 , which had been affiliated with the Prehistory and Early History Department since 1908. See Konrad Hahm : Karl Brunner †. In: Berliner Museen , 60th year, 1939, p. 16 f.
  3. ↑ See ABKK, 26th year, 1905, p. CXVII
  4. ↑ See personal details. In: Art Chronicle. Weekly for arts and crafts , new series, 20th year, 1908/09, No. 33 of September 24, 1909, column 563 ( digitized version ).
  5. ↑ See ZfE, Volume 33, 1901, negotiations p. 32.
  6. ↑ Cf. Felix von Luschan: Report on the fifth excavation, 1902. In: Excavations in Sendschirli. Executed and published on behalf of the Orient-Comité in Berlin. Vol. IV. Georg Reimer, Berlin 1911, p. 238.
  7. ↑ After several unanswered inquiries to the responsible authorities, Schuchhardt turned to his former pupil, Prince Emanuel Bibesco (1874–1917), who personally intervened with the Romanian Prime Minister Brătianu . See Schmidt, Zeitschrift für Ethnologie , Volume 43, 1911, p. 583; Carl Schuchhardt: From life and work. de Gruyter, Berlin 1944, p. 103 f.
  8. ↑ See report from the German Embassy in Bucharest (accessed on June 23, 2013).
  9. ↑ See Schmidt's communication on a report by Ed. Honzik: The prehistoric station of Sarata-Monteoru, Buzeu district. In: Journal of Ethnology , Volume 43, 1907, pp. 999–1003.
  10. ^ Excavations of Cucuteni and Sarata-Montori (Romania) in the light of the Aegean prehistory. In: Archäologischer Anzeiger 1923/24, pp. 350–355.
  11. ↑ See staff news. In: Berliner Museen , 41st year, 1920, col. 176.
  12. ↑ See staff news. In: Berliner Museen , 45th year, 1924, p. 24.
  13. ↑ Cf. Archive for Orient Research , Vol. 3, 1926, p. 137.
  14. ↑ Cf. Heinz Grünert: Prehistory and Early History Research in Berlin. In: Reimer Hansen, Wolfgang Ribbe (Hrsg.): History in Berlin in the 19th and 20th centuries: personalities and institutions. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin 1992, p. 127.
  15. ↑ See Hans B. Jessen: Berlin antiquity researchers and friends. Their graves and funerary monuments. In: Mitteilungen des Verein für die Geschichte Berlins , 75th vol., 1979, pp. 63–75 ( PDF; 16.7 MB ) (p. 68).
  16. ↑ In: Fredrik T. Hiebert / Kakamurad Kurbansakhatov (ed.): A Central Asian village at the Dawn of civilization. Excavations at Anau, Turkmenistan. Philadelphia 2003, pp. 174-193 (see publications). See also Peggy Champlin: Raphael Pumpelly's Geoarcheological Expedition to Turkestan. In: Gregory Good (Ed.): The Earth, the heavens and the Carnegie Institution of Washington. Washington 1994, ISBN 0-87590-279-0 , pp. 47-52.
  17. ↑ See Ioan Opriş / Cătălin Bem: A History of Archeology and Museography in Romania. In: David W. Anthony, Jennifer Y. Chi (Eds.): The Lost World of Old Europe: The Danube Valley, 5000-3500 BC. (Exhibition catalog). Princeton University Press, 2010, ISBN 0691143889 , pp. 59 ff.
personal data
SURNAME Schmidt, Hubert
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Schmidt, Hubertus
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German prehistorian
DATE OF BIRTH August 6, 1864
PLACE OF BIRTH Laurahütte
DATE OF DEATH March 1, 1933
Place of death Berlin