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Herman VirtFounder and first leader of the Ahnenerbe, professor
Country:
 Netherlands |
Content:
- Herman Wirth: The Pioneer of "Ahnenerbe"
- Early Life and Academic Pursuits
- A Polar Theory of Humanity
- The Importance of the Proto-Runic Language
- The Search for Hyperborean Knowledge
- Skepticism and Support
- The Founding of "Ahnenerbe"
- Short-Lived Presidency and Disappointment
Herman Wirth: The Pioneer of "Ahnenerbe"
Herman Wirth (1885-1974), a Dutch-born professor, was the founder and first director of the infamous "Ahnenerbe". A prominent figure in the völkisch movement, Wirth's theories on the origins of humanity and history deeply influenced Nazi ideology.
Early Life and Academic Pursuits
Wirth's academic career began in 1910 when he received his doctorate for a dissertation on Dutch folk songs. In the 1920s, he became involved with German völkisch circles and joined the Nazi Party in 1924. However, his affiliation with the Nazis was short-lived, and he later rejoined the völkisch movement.
A Polar Theory of Humanity
Wirth's theory centered around the concept of a polar, Nordic origin of humankind. According to him, an ancient continent called Arctogea existed in the North, inhabited by a race of supermen known as the Hyperboreans. This civilization gave rise to a monotheistic religion, proto-language, and all that was later corrupted and distorted.
The degeneration of this civilization occurred due to racial mixing with inferior, beast-like beings from another continent called Gondwana. As the climate deteriorated, the Nordic race migrated south, leading to further racial intermixing.
The Importance of the Proto-Runic Language
Wirth believed that the Nordic language found its ultimate expression in the runic alphabet. He claimed that all modern written languages evolved from proto-runic symbols, a theory he expounded in his book "The Sacred Proto-Script of Humanity."
The Search for Hyperborean Knowledge
Wirth's theory extended to religion as well. He argued that the monotheistic religion of Arctogea was preserved in the Old Testament, albeit in a distorted form. He embarked on a project to "decode" the Old Testament, explaining its stories, names, and symbols.
Skepticism and Support
Wirth's theories met with mixed reactions in the German academic world. While some scholars criticized them as pseudoscientific, others, such as Alfred Bäumler and Gustav Neckel, respected Wirth's independent stance and intuitive insights. Initially, the Nazis supported Wirth's work, with Alfred Rosenberg praising his contributions to ancient history. Heinrich Himmler also paid close attention to his research.
The Founding of "Ahnenerbe"
After the Nazis came to power, Wirth became a professor at the Friedrich-Wilhelm University in Berlin. In 1933, he organized an exhibition in Munich called "Deutsche Ahnenerbe" (German Ancestral Heritage). This exhibition brought him into contact with Richard Walther Darré and Himmler.
Darré offered his support to Wirth, and after the establishment of Ahnenerbe, Wirth became its president. The organization's mission was to explore the history of ancient spirituality, particularly the proto-religion that played a central role in Wirth's theory.
Short-Lived Presidency and Disappointment
Wirth's presidency at Ahnenerbe was relatively short. He organized expeditions to Scandinavia, established a department for the study of writing and symbols, and prepared a voluminous work on German peasant customs for publication. However, Wirth's close association with Darré and his lack of support for qualified specialists alienated Himmler.
As a result, Himmler replaced Wirth with Wolfram Sievers. Wirth's theories continued to influence some within the Nazi Party, but his direct involvement in Ahnenerbe came to an end.
