Josef Szombathy facts for kids
Josef Szombathy (born József Szombathy on June 11, 1853 – died November 9, 1943) was an important archaeologist from Austria-Hungary. He was there when the famous Venus of Willendorf statue was found in 1908.
The Venus of Willendorf is a small statue of a female figure, about 11.1 centimeters (4.4 inches) tall. It was discovered near a village called Willendorf in Austria. This ancient statue is carved from a special type of limestone that isn't found in the area where it was discovered. It was also colored with red ochre, a natural pigment. Experts believe it was carved a very long time ago, between 24,000 and 22,000 BCE.
Josef Szombathy: A Pioneer Archaeologist
Josef Szombathy's work led to many important discoveries. Because of his findings, he helped create the Department of Prehistory at the Naturhistorisches Museum in Vienna in 1882. This department focused on studying very old human history.
Collecting Ancient Treasures
Szombathy traveled and collected many ancient objects from across the Austro-Hungarian empire. This included places like Galicia, Bukovina, Bohemia, Moravia, Carniola, and Vojvodina. His efforts helped build a large collection of prehistoric artifacts for the museum.
Later Life and Legacy
Josef Szombathy passed away in 1943. His work greatly contributed to our understanding of ancient history and the early human cultures in Europe.
