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Karl KerstenGerman historian and archaeologist
Date of Birth: 08.08.1909
Country:  Germany |
Content:
Hermann Kersten
Hermann Kersten was a German historian and archaeologist who gained prominence during the National Socialist era. Unlike most of his colleagues, he did not hold an academic degree and initially worked on archaeological surveys in Schleswig.
Leadership Roles
In 1937, Kersten became the head of the provincial service for prehistoric and early historical archaeological surveys and the protection of historical monuments in Schleswig. In 1944, he succeeded Herbert Jankuhn as the director of the Kiel Museum of National Antiquities.
Wartime Activities
During World War II, Kersten served in Jankuhn's special unit, which looted Soviet museums and conducted archaeological research in Crimea. The German researchers aimed to find traces of Gothic settlements on the peninsula. Concurrently, Kersten led the Anenerbe sub-department in Denmark.
Post-War Career
After the war, Kersten earned a doctorate with a dissertation on Late Bronze Age finds in Pomerania. From 1959 to 1973, he co-published the journal "Offa - Reports and Communications on Ancient and Early History and Medieval Archaeology."
