Worsaae (English spelling) Jens Jacob Asmussen Worsaae

Danish archaeologist. He served as director of the Royal Nordic Museum, director of the National Museum of History, and Minister of Education. He had an interest in ancient relics since his childhood, and became a pupil of Thomsen, who was director of the Nordic Museum. He was an early pioneer of the idea that dolmens (a type of megalithic monument) were tombs, and also demonstrated that shell mounds, which had previously been thought to be natural deposits, were man-made. He promoted the development of European archaeology, and also demonstrated his skill in protecting and educating people about historical monuments as a supervisor.

[Shigeru Ueyama]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

デンマークの考古学者。王立北方古物博物館長、国立歴史博物館長、文部大臣などを歴任した。少年時代より古代遺物に興味をもち、北方古物博物館長であったトムセンの弟子となった。早くからドルメン（巨石記念物の一つ）が墳墓であるとの創見を示し、また自然の堆積(たいせき)とされていた貝塚が人為的なものであることを明らかにした。彼はヨーロッパ考古学界の発展を推し進めるとともに、歴史的記念物の監督者として、その保護、啓蒙(けいもう)にも手腕を発揮した。

［植山　茂］

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