Gerhard Bersu

Abstract

GERHARD BERSU

Few archaeologists have become as renowned through extensive excavation and lively publicising as Professor Bersu, late director of the Roman-German Commission in Frankfurt. Not least, he was recognized as a penetrating observer and constructive interpreter and as a director of extensive excavations in Germany, Ireland, Great Britain (where he worked during the war), Switzerland and the Balkans. He was always generous with advice, not without critical sense of details. Of especial interest for Scandinavian archaeology are his excavations of Viking graves on the Isle of Man, which have just been published by him and Mr. David Wilson. His greatest achievements are surely the investigation of huge strongholds like Wittnauer Horn, Sadowetz and Grundremming -an imposing assemblage- but also house excavations like Little Woodbury were exemplary.

It seemed natural that this internationally minded scholar should take presidency of the 5th Prehistoric Congress in Hamburg. It was directed with the same organizational talent as his big excavations. He gave archaeology and archaeologists his unquenchable enthusiasm and sympathy.

Ole Klindt-Jensen.