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Theodor Bartus

1858 – 1941

Explorer; museum conservator

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About Theodor Bartus

Lived 1858 – 1941 (aged 82). Theodor Bartus was an explorer.

Theodor Bartus (30 January 1858 in Lassan, Germany – 28 January 1941 in Berlin) was a German sailor, museum technician, and conservator. Bartus was the son of a master weaver. He began his nautical career on the sailing ship of his uncle. In Australia, he passed his First mate exam and became captain. He acquired many years of experience sailing ships. At times, he lived as a squatter in Australia.

During a visit to Germany, his Australian bank went bankrupt, and he became suddenly destitute. Forced to find a job, he worked from 1888 as a museum technician at the Ethnological Museum of Berlin, where he rigged vessels.

Between 1902 and 1914, he was a technical crew member on all four German Turfan expeditions headed by Albert Grünwedel and Albert von Le Coq. Bartus developed a method of detaching mural paintings and inscriptions from caves, rock walls, and ruins, leaving them largely undamaged, which were then transported to Germany. Until his death, he was employed at the museum, preparing and preserving the finds he brought back from Turfan.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
German Reich

People in Theodor Bartus's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Theodor Bartus's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Theodor Bartus?

Explorer; museum conservator (1858-1941)

When was Theodor Bartus born?

Theodor Bartus was born on 30 January 1858 in Lassan.

When did Theodor Bartus die?

Theodor Bartus died on 28 January 1941 in Berlin.

What was Theodor Bartus's occupation?

Theodor Bartus was an explorer.

What nationality was Theodor Bartus?

Theodor Bartus's recorded nationality: German Reich.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Theodor Bartus

· Wikidata: Q107990

· DBpedia: Theodor Bartus

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Theodor Bartus. https://biography.guide/theodor-bartus/

MLA: "Theodor Bartus." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/theodor-bartus/.

Chicago: "Theodor Bartus." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/theodor-bartus/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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