Jindřich Wankel and the Viennese k. k. Central-Commission zur Erforschung und Erhaltung der Kunst- und historischen Denkmale

Abstract

Jindřich Wankel’s collaboration with the k. k. Central-Commission zur Erforschung und Erhaltung der Kunst- und historischen Denkmale is not a widely known area of the scholar’s activities. And yet, in doing so he significantly contributed to the protection of archaeological heritage in Moravia: first as the commission’s correspondent (1883/1884–1885) and later as a conservator (1885–1893). His position enabled him to act in favour of the Olomouc Patriotic Museum Association and the Museum run by them. His activities were hindered by the legal framework of the time. Archaeological finds and sites were considered the property of the landowner and access to such required negotiations with the landowner and calling on their goodwill. This is clearly illustrated by the individual cases in which Wankel was involved.