Thomas Schneider is exploring a subject that has never been studied before. The University of British Columbia professor is examining the history of German Egyptology during the Nazi era. The period that lasted from when Hitler became chancellor of Germany in 1933 - until he committed suicide in his bunker in 1945.
The research is a work in progress and Professor Schneider continues to receive new archival documents and information. He plans to turn his work into a book length manuscript.
While popular fiction, such as the Indiana Jones trilogy, depicts action packed films about this topic, the real story is far more complex.
Professor Schneider generously took the time to talk about his research with me. He also provided me with detailed written notes, that outline his research, to help me write this story.
Hitler Comes to Power
Highlighted Quote:
"Germany had basically sacrificed, through the NS regime, its academic standing."
German archaeologist Eduard Gerhard founded the first international archaeological society.
29 November 1795
German archaeologist Eduard Gerhard was born Friedrich Wilhelm Eduard Gerhard in 1795. He founded the first international archaeological society.
In 1816 he was appointed professor at the gymnasium of Posen. However, he suffered from weak eyesight, which led to his resignation in 1819. In 1822 he moved to Rome where he lived for 15 years. There, in 1829, he set up the Instituto di corrispondenza archeologica with Theodor Panofka, Otto Magnus von Stackelberg and August Kestner. The organisation was to become the basis of present-day German Archaeological Institute for which Gerhard served as secretary.
He returned to Germany in 1837 and was appointed archaeologist at the Royal Museum of Berlin. In 1844 he was chosen to be a member of the Academy of Sciences, and appointed as a professor in Berlin University.
