Karel Absolon (1877-1960) and the Research of Significant Palaeolithic Sites in Moravia

KOSTRHUN, Petr. Karel Absolon (1877-1960) and the Research of Significant Palaeolithic Sites in Moravia. Archaeologia Polona. 2009, roč. 47, č. 1, p. 91-139. ISSN 0066-5924.

Basic information

• Original name: Karel Absolon (1877-1960) and the Research of Significant Palaeolithic Sites in Moravia
• Authors: KOSTRHUN, Petr (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution).
• Edition: Archaeologia Polona, 2009, 0066-5924.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Article in a journal
• Field of Study: Archaeology, anthropology, ethnology
• Country of publisher: Poland
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14210/09:00054724
• Organization unit: Faculty of Arts
• Keywords in English: Karel Absolon; history of archaeology; Czech archaeology; Palaeolithic archaeology
• Tags: rivok
• Tags: Reviewed

Abstract

During the inter-war period, Karel Absolon (1877–1960), a specialist in the Palaeolithic, was one of the most famous personalities in Czech archaeology. With his systematic excavations, he not only significantly enriched the collections of the Moravian Museum but also established a specialized workplace and the museum exposition, Anthropos. This exposition is devoted entirely to the history of the Pleistocene, the rise of man and the development of the oldest human culture. Between 1924–1938, Absolon acted as the organizational and professional guarantor of large-scale archaeological excavations at Dolní Věstonice, Předmostí near Přerov, the Pekárna and Býčí skála caves as well as many other smaller ventures. Aided by his extraordinary personality, he contributed to scientific knowledge concerning the development of human culture in the Palaeolithic. As a result of his ability to make use of the media for promotion and his talent for popularizing science, he significantly affected the general cultural history of the inter-war Czechoslovakia. Karel Absolon's name thus became synonymous with research into the oldest history of man. However, he was also known for his controversial nature; he was not afraid of reaching his goals by methods which were often criticized by his colleagues and contemporaries.