Johann Georg Ramsauer: Pioneer of Hallstatt Research and his inheritance

Johann Georg Ramsauer: Pioneer of Hallstatt Research and his inheritance

Hallstatt, Österreich - On December 12, 2024, the Natural History Museum Vienna commemorates the 150th anniversary of the death of Johann Georg Ramsauer, the visionary explorer of the legendary Hallstätter Gräberfeld. Ramsauer, born on March 7, 1795 in Hallstatt and died on December 14, 1874, left a remarkable legacy in the research of the prehistory of the prehistory of Central Europe. His work paved the way to the so -called Hallstatt period, which from 800 to 450 BC. is dated and put Hallstatt on the map as a key location for archaeological research in Europe. As early as 1846 to 1863, Ramsauer had around 980 burials dug out and documented them precisely, which formed the foundation for later scientific work, such as dhm.at noted.

Ramsauer was a key figure in the early days of archeology, although he had no formal conclusion in this subject. He joined the traditionally practicing science and contributed significantly to the establishment of the discipline. During his time as a mountain master of the saltes in Hallstatt, he not only carried out the first archaeological excavations in the salt mine underground, but also knew how to make extensive documentation. The effort did not only look at the object found for themselves, but also to analyze their connection to other graves and finds. Thanks to the by apa.at his discoveries are still of great importance to this day. This methodology helped Ramsauer to be heard in the professional world and was reinforced by praising feedback from contemporaries such as the Museum Francisco-Carolinum in Linz.

a life full of discoveries

his life was characterized by success and challenges. Ramsauer was married three times and father of 22 children. His career as a mountain master began at the age of 36, and with his expertise, he made a decisive contribution to knowing about the Iron Age culture in the Salzkammergut. Ramsauer found special honor in 1855 when he received the Golden Cross of Merit for his scientific merits. This testifies to the enormous recognition, which he released from both science and the imperial family. The excavations on the Salzberg Hallstätter are an important legacy that is still being examined today. Thanks to modern analysis methods, new insights from finds discovered over 150 years ago can be obtained and made accessible to a broad audience, which underlines the lasting legacy of Johann Georg Ramsauer.