Kurt Schietzel – the Worsaae Medal 1st of June 2000

Abstract

Kurt Schietzel

- The Worsaae Medal 1 June 2000

A few years after the formation of the Jutland Archaeological Society (Jysk Arkæologisk Selskab), in 1956, the Society decided to institute a medal in memory of a great figure in Danish archaeology, J.J.A. Worsaae, to be given -occasionally and at the board's discretion- in appreciation of meritorious services to Nordic Archaeology. Until today, ten highly merited scholars from Denmark, Sweden, England and Germany have been given the Worsaae Medal.

Kurt Schietzel's contributions to Nordic Archaeology are numerous, important, and exceptional. He was born in Hamburg in 1933 and studied archaeology, folklore, and theory of education at Hamburg University -subjects that all left their mark on his later activities, as for instance on the major exhibitions in the museums at Gottorf and Hedeby. In 1962-63, he possessed the major travelling scholarship of the German Institute of Archaeology. This took him to many countries in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Near East and to Egypt and probably made the basis of his international view.

In 1963, the then 30-year-old Kurt Schietzel was appointed to a post at the archaeological museum, which is today part of the Stiftung Schleswig-Holsteinische Landsmuseum, Schloss Gottorf. Here he made his career, excavating in Hedeby in 1963-69 and again in the harbour of Hedeby in 1979-80; initiating excavations in Schleswig; organising comprehensive publications of the excavation results from Hedeby and Schleswig and contributing to other aspects of the Hedeby-Schleswig research, such as for instance Danevirke. At the same time he became the leader of still larger departments of the Gottorf Museum and finally became director of the museum from 1983 until his retirement in 1998. During this time he initiated major, modern exhibitions at Gottorf and a completely new Hedeby Museum near the semi­circular rampart.

This is an achievement, which could well have filled more than three academic lives. Yet, everyone who knows Kurt Schietzel is acquainted with his passionate interest in archaeology, as well as his boundless energy, persistence and imagination and his love of systematism. They also know that he has exceptional capacities as a scholarly initiator, and that he wants things done in a way that complies with his demand for accuracy.

Naturally, Kurt Schietzel has received many honours over the years. He was appointed a professor in 1984, he is a member or honorary member of many scholarly societies -for instance, he became an honorary member of Det kongelige Nordiske Oldskriftselskab in 1998. The same year the Christian-Albrecht University in Kiel awarded him the university medal.

Dear Kurt. When The Jutland Archaeological Society wishes to give you the Worsaae Medal today, it is mainly because of your large, varied, and exceptional contribution to Nordic archaeology. Your research has concentrated on the Viking Age -on Hedeby, Schleswig, Danevirke and related matters. These topics are not just crucial to the understanding of this period, but also very important to the Danish and Scandinavian understanding of themselves. Today, these monuments are in Germany, but you have managed to balance within the national issue -or to be more precise: you have kept the nationalism out of your research. You knew how to avoid touching the tender Scandinavian and Danish spots. At the same time you were aware of the necessity of cooperating across the border (and we believe you did so with pleasure) with the neighbours in Jutland nd in the rest of Denmark and Scandinavia. This applies to museums, universities and other institutions. We at Moesgård are grateful for that, and for a very visible result of this cooperation: the Hedeby House in the museum grounds -the reconstruction of a very well preserved house found during one of your excavations.

I would also like to emphasise that under your leadership, Hedeby research has been international in the best sense of the word, and that it has been of great significance to Scandinavian archaeology. A long time before the international research concept became a trend, you involved the relevant scholars from any country in the investigation of different topics. From Denmark, Hellmuth Andersen, Hans Jørgen Madsen, and Olfert Voss undertook excavations in Danevirke and published the results, and Ole Crumlin-Pedersen published the ship finds from the harbour at Hedeby. Norwegian, Swedish, Polish and German scholars were also involved in the study and publication of the excavation results. This gives me the opportunity to draw attention to the fact that a number of German scholars have contributed to creating a wider vision and a larger perspective as regards the Viking Age -a period, which we Scandinavians may have been prone to view from a too local position, inasmuch as we consider the Viking Age "ours".

The Hedeby research has been systematically translated into a number of publications, and the green and the red covered fascicules and all the monographs are standard publications in Scandinavian specialist libraries. They are read by students and professional archaeologists, and they are frequently quoted in articles and books. They are among the most important publications of the archaeological community.

Your special contribution to Nordic archaeology comprises the Hedeby Museum and the major exhibitions at Gottorf. They were of course the result of the cooperation of many individuals. But in all of them your influence is evident. Three large exhibitions planned on educational lines, with lots of fascinating information on the prehistory, the Viking Age and the Middle Ages are considered by many to be among the best exhibitions of this kind in Northern Europe. As to the exhibition in the beautiful Hedeby Museum -which appeals to both the professional archaeologist and the interested public -I shall not hesitate to appoint it the best Viking Age exhibition anywhere. All these exhibitions are sources of great pleasure to the Scandinavians, especially the Jutlanders, as neither Schleswig nor Hedeby is far away.

Exhibitions and other types of information about the past create a necessary and important base of modern archaeology. It is necessary to show -also to the public- what archaeology is about. Archaeology is expensive, and it must be explained that it is also interesting and well worth the expense.

Good exhibitions are perhaps the best means of achieving this. Within this field, too, you have made an invaluable contribution -beneficial to anyone interested in the past and to archaeology in the future.

The Jutland Archaeological Society conveys its warmest thanks for your great and valuable contribution: excavations, publications, and information within Nordic Archaeology and a good cooperation across the national borders. Against this background the Society wishes to award you the Worsaae Medal of the year 2000 and the prize that goes with it.

Else Roesdahl