Gerhard Bersu

He was interned on the Isle of Man during World War II where he made several significant archaeological discoveries such as the Viking boat burial at Balladoole.

[1] He was interested in prehistory from a young age and began his archaeological career while still a school boy, by joining in Carl Schuchhardt's excavations near Potsdam in 1907.

[5] Following his forced resignation from the German Archaeological Institute and the worsening anti-Semitic laws in Germany Bersu emigrated to Britain with his wife in 1937.

Bersu's systematic investigation was revolutionary for its time in England, and his excavation helped to reinterpret earlier misconceptions of Iron Age Britain.

[6] Bersu also introduced new methods from continental Europe regarding the digging of trenches and the investigation of timber post remains that were one of the few remnants of the domestic dwellings on the site.

[8][5] Director of the Manx Museum, Basil Megaw immediately saw the potential of having Bersu investigate some of the Isle of Man's significant archaeological sites.

Bersu's fellow archaeologists and friends such Gordon Childe and Christopher Hawkes lobbied on his behalf to allow excavations on the Island to be conducted.

[7] They excavated a number of later prehistoric and Viking‐age sites and several important discoveries were made at Chapel Hill at Balladoole, Ballanorris, Ronaldsway, and Ballacagan.