Bearers of Statehood ⎯ Josip Brunšmid, Dragutin Gorjanović-Kramberger, and Franjo Tuđman

ᴵⁿ ᵗᶦᵐᵉˢ ᵒᶠ ᶜˡᶦᵐᵃᵗᵉ ᵉᵐᵉʳᵍᵉⁿᶜʸ https://climateclock.world/

When discussing the bearers of statehood, the focus is often on political leaders and state institutions. However, statehood is not solely a political phenomenon—it is also built through culture, science, and history. In this context, it is interesting to examine three Croatian figures: Josip Brunšmid, Dragutin Gorjanović-Kramberger, and Franjo Tuđman. Although they operated in different periods and fields, each of them left a deep mark in shaping national consciousness and the long-term process of building Croatian statehood.

Josip Brunšmid: Guardian of Cultural Heritage

Josip Brunšmid (1858–1929) was a prominent archaeologist and numismatist, the first director of the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb. His work in researching and preserving cultural heritage contributed to shaping awareness of the historical and cultural uniqueness of the Croatian territory. The establishment of systematic archaeological protection and documentation of artifacts not only preserved historical traces but also strengthened the identity that connects present generations with the past. In this way, Brunšmid’s work was not only scientific but also of national importance, as it contributed to understanding the continuity of Croatian history.

Dragutin Gorjanović-Kramberger: Croatia in the Global Scientific Heritage

Dragutin Gorjanović-Kramberger (1856–1936), a geologist, paleontologist, and anthropologist, is best known for his discovery of the Krapina Neanderthal site, one of the most important Neanderthal findings in Europe. His research not only placed Croatia on the map of the global scientific community but also contributed to understanding human evolution. Through his discoveries, the Croatian territory gained recognition in global anthropological and paleontological science, reinforcing national awareness by showcasing the long-standing human presence in this region.

Franjo Tuđman: Historian and Political Founder of Modern Croatia

Unlike Brunšmid and Gorjanović-Kramberger, who contributed to statehood through culture and science, Franjo Tuđman (1922–1999) had a direct political impact on the creation of the modern Croatian state. As the first president of independent Croatia and a key figure in the independence process of the early 1990s, Tuđman realized what previous generations had dreamed of—a sovereign state. Before his political career, Tuđman was a historian who studied Croatian national identity and the broader historical processes that shaped the region. His dual role as a historian and statesman provided him with a unique perspective on the formation of national identity and the importance of sovereignty. His leadership in political, military, and diplomatic efforts was crucial for Croatia’s international recognition and the establishment of fundamental state institutions.

Three Faces of Statehood

Although they seem to come from unrelated disciplines, Josip Brunšmid, Dragutin Gorjanović-Kramberger, and Franjo Tuđman together represent a broad spectrum of processes that led to modern Croatian statehood. While Brunšmid and Gorjanović-Kramberger laid the foundations through heritage preservation and scientific recognition, Tuđman transformed these historical and cultural foundations into a concrete political entity.

Statehood is not merely an act of gaining independence or establishing borders—it is a long-term process in which identity, culture, and science play an equally important role as politics. This is why these three great individuals, each in their own way, can be considered bearers of statehood.