In Memory of Zdenko Brusić

We are saddened to inform our readers that dr. Zdenko Brusić, Croatian archaeologist and scientist died at the age of 76 in Zadar. Professor Brusić will be remembered as a pioneer in Croatian hydroarchaeology.

Born in Šibenik on 16. September in 1938. In his hometown he attended primary school, finishing college in Zadar. He graduated from the University of Philosophy in Zagreb in archaeological studies.

From 1966 until 1969, he was active as a curator at the archaeological collection in Nin, after which he moved to the Šibenik city museum. Since 1979 he was a museum advisor, and from 1982 until 1987, he was responsible for duties as a Principle at the Archaeological Museum of Zadar. From 1998 he was also responsible for duties as a curator in the prehistoric department, moving on to the University of Philosophy in Zadar.

He was chosen to be scientific associate in 1982, and in 1990, as a higher scientific associate, whilst in 1999 he was nominated as an exceptional professor in the Prehistoric archaeology course. From 2004, he was a regular professor in the Department of archaeology at the University of Zadar.

During his studies and work in museum insitutions, he joined many research projects, especially researching underwater sites of shipwrecks in antiquity and the remains of medieval shipwrecks. He led a series of independent investigations into locations of interest, though primarily in northern Dalmatia. For many years he has been researching the classical port of Nin, where he discovered the first Liburna ships distinctive in their woven construction, and finding two ancient Croatian ships from the 11. century at the site of the modern Nin port. After researching and extracting the ships he worked on their conservation, presentation and the output of replicas. He also participated in numerous excavations mostly in northern Dalmatia.

He presented the results of his research in a series of scientific magazines and books such as Diadora, British Archaeological Reports, The Works of the HAZ Institute, The Gunjača Anthology, Archaeological overview and the Zadar Islands Anthology etc. He is a memeber of the Croatian archaeological society and the Commission for the research of naval and shipbuilding heritage in HAZ.

Source: www.zadarskilist.hr