Person
Almagro Basch, Martín (1911-1984)Other forms
Tramacastilla (Teruel, España) 1911-04-17 - Madrid (España) 1984-08-28
Spanish archaeologist and professor of Prehistory.
His father was Doroteo Almagro, a veterinarian at his hometown, who influenced him by awaking his curiosity to reach the past's scientific knowledge. He was married to Clotilde Gorbea Urquijo and their son, Martín Almagro Gorbea, followed his path as an outstanding historian.
He graduated in History in 1932 and in Law in 1934, receiving his PhD in 1935. That same year, after submitting a tender, he was granted with a position at the Cuerpo Facultativo de Archiveros, Bibliotecarios y Arqueólogos (Department of Archivists, Librarians and Archaeologists) at the former Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Between 1935 and 1936, he extended his knowledge on Archaeology, Prehistory and Ethnology at the University of Vienna and in 1936 at the University of Marburg. Disciple of Hugo Obemaier in 1942, he retired from the University of Humboldt-Stifftung in Berlin.
He had important administrative positions as director of the Museo Arqueológico (Archaeological Museum) of Barcelona or director, once again, of the Museo Arqueológico Nacional (National Archaeological Museum) between 1968 and 1981.
He is an essential character for those studying Prehistory and Ancient History and for Spanish egyptologist and archaeologists. Between 1961 and 1964, he was director of the Spanish committee for the Nubian rescue, sponsored by the UNESCO, which finally opened the door of egyptology to Spanish archaeology.
His works include from paleolithic cultures art of eastern Spain to medieval ages sites. His great bibliography after years of hard work and research shows his significance as one of the fathers of Prehistory in Spain.
Se conservan documentos de Martín Almagro Basch en los archivos del Centro Documental de la Memoria Histórica, en el Archivo General de la Administración, en el Archivo Histórico Nacional y en el Archivo Central del Ministerio de Cultura.