National Socialist Archaeology in Bohemia, Moravia, and Slovakia

OLIVA, Martin and Petr KOSTRHUN. National Socialist Archaeology in Bohemia, Moravia, and Slovakia. Springer, 2023, p. 99-126. ISBN 978-3-031-28023-8.

Basic information

• Original name: National Socialist Archaeology in Bohemia, Moravia, and Slovakia
• Authors: OLIVA, Martin and Petr KOSTRHUN.
• Edition: p. 99-126, 2023.
• Publisher: Springer

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Chapter(s) of a specialized book
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• ISBN: 978-3-031-28023-8
• Tags: Reviewed

Abstract

This chapter examines National Socialist archaeology in Bohemia, Moravia, and Slovakia, the territories of the First Czechoslovak Republic. Prior to the annexation of the Republic by the National Socialists, archaeological practices were shared between Czech and German archaeologists; there were fewer conflicts between them than between the Germans themselves. National Socialist ideas were not influential; at most, it is only possible to detect elements of Kossinna’s chauvin ism. Under the National-Socialist Protectorate, most posts were occupied by “Imperial Germans”, largely graduates of reputable universities with a broad range of contacts in Germany. Although there was a trend towards Germanisation, these archaeologists still included Czech archaeology in international events. Czech archaeologists remained in their posts in Bohemia subject to the oversight of Germans. Moravia, where Czech leaders had been removed from their positions, became a haven for ambitious, warring German archaeologists who made full use of their contacts with the Monument Office in Vienna, the Ahnenerbe, the land offices, and with researchers in Germany. Vienna’s Monument Office exerted the greatest influence on archaeology in Slovakia, limited only by the nationalistic tendencies of the puppet government installed there by the National Socialists; there were no professional Slovak archaeologists at the time.