The Past, Ethnic Purity, and the Foundations of Nazi Ideology: Archaeology at War

Abstract

This article examines the articulation between archaeology and ideology in Nazi Germany, specifically the ideological content in archaeological narratives. We analyze German archaeology of this period in light of 19th century pan-Germanism and the German thinkers who helped shape the notion of a German national identity. Archaeology was utilized to strengthen Nazi ideology, with a particular focus on promoting ideas related to ancestry, homeland, militarism, and nationalistic fervor. The idea of Nordicism, whether pertaining to spirituality or geography, had a substantial influence on the interpretation of archaeological findings and the development of ideological narratives. The approach of Gustaf Kossinna can be viewed as the culmination of this archaeological connection to Nordicism, and it can be better understood by examining the scholars who shaped the contemporary understanding of the German national identity. Kossinna’s version of prehistory—a convoluted story of a Germanic origin—gained dominance and exerted influence over official publications and archaeological methodologies at the time. In this perspective, German was the mix of two Nordic races. This idea of a mix helped explain certain differences among populations in the Third Reich, making them part of the origin story itself. Although archaeology was not a central component of Nazi ideology, officials still showed a preference for it and employed it in many ways. Valuable knowledge obtained through a deep analysis of the Nazi case regarding the connection between ideology, warfare, and archaeological methods can help in future studies on the articulations between archaeology, ideology, and warfare.