landscapes of memory: recording the archaeological remains of the holocaust caroline sturdy colls

Landscapes of Memory:

Recording the Archaeological Remains of the Holocaust

Caroline Sturdy Colls

CONFLICT and FORENSIC ARCHAEOLOGY

Over the last decade, forensic archaeologists have played a Over the last decade, forensic archaeologists have played a central role in war crimes investigationcentral role in war crimes investigation

Studies of other twentieth century conflicts have escalated Studies of other twentieth century conflicts have escalated

MULTIDISCIPLINARY PROJECT:

■ Focuses on the exploration of the untapped potential and implications of Holocaust Archaeology

■ Integration of documentary, cartographic and physical evidence

■ Material generated can be used in commemoration, education and heritage strategies.

HOLOCAUST LANDSCAPES PROJECT

Layers of HistoryLayers of History

Archaeological data and site histories can reveal Archaeological data and site histories can reveal information about the various layers of a site. information about the various layers of a site. These can be:These can be:

Physical;Physical; Metaphorical;Metaphorical; SocialSocial

POST-ABANDONMENT POST-ABANDONMENT HISTORIESHISTORIES

Approaches to sites are often a Approaches to sites are often a reflection of various issues:reflection of various issues: Needs/circumstances of the local Needs/circumstances of the local communitycommunity PoliticsPolitics Societal divisionsSocietal divisions Religious beliefsReligious beliefs Ethical tensionsEthical tensions Financial resourcesFinancial resources

Methodology

Core of project: To investigate the site in a way that respects both its historical and scientific

potential, as well as its religious and commemorative significance

Methods Used and Features DetectedMethods Used and Features Detected

StagesStages

1.1. Historical ReviewHistorical Review

2.2. Landscape MappingLandscape Mapping

3.3. Subterranean MappingSubterranean Mapping

4.4. Processing and VisualisationProcessing and Visualisation

5.5. Dissemination and Dissemination and CommemorationCommemoration

ALWAYS PARALLEL TO CULTURAL MEMORY RESEARCH

Asking New Questions of Old Material..Asking New Questions of Old Material..

‘numerous human remains were found by these excavations, partially still in a state of decomposition', revealing that not all the bodies were cremated’ (Wojtczuk 1975:184)

12

Map regression

Local history search

County Sites and Monuments Records (SMR's),

National records (NMR)

Walkover survey

Aerial photographs

Geotechnical records

GIS based analysis

Site Histories

Disturbance Disturbance

This can take many forms – This can take many forms – some will be visible from the some will be visible from the surface, others will only be surface, others will only be detectable below the grounddetectable below the ground

13

What can we detect?

14

Vegetation Change

Increased Growth

15

Vegetation Change

Reduced Growth

16

Vegetation Change

Differential Growth

17

Depressions

DGPS Total Station

Digital Terrain ModelsDigital Terrain Models

Defining BoundariesDefining Boundaries

Feature RecordingFeature Recording

One of the buried structures identified at Lager Norderney (left)

Point data recorded using DGPS and total station survey

Re-use, adaptation, Re-use, adaptation, reconstruction and dilapidation reconstruction and dilapidation all reveal important all reveal important information about the siteinformation about the site ’’s s history and approaches to ithistory and approaches to it

The application of methods capable of analysing the physical properties of the subsurface

Buried features can be detected when they contrast with the surrounding soils

Non-invasive method

Often a precursor to excavation

Geophysical Survey

GPR

Features consistent with pits, burials, walls, Features consistent with pits, burials, walls, building foundations and other features can building foundations and other features can all be recordedall be recorded

Data can be manipulated Data can be manipulated into 3Dinto 3D

Other Geophysical MethodsOther Geophysical Methods

Other methods are available that Other methods are available that measure different properties in the measure different properties in the soilsoil

All methods allow us to examine All methods allow us to examine contrasts between anomalies and the contrasts between anomalies and the surrounding soilsurrounding soil

VisualisationVisualisation

• Alternatives to on-site memorialisation/museumscape

• Facilitate greater access to cultural heritage

Landscapes and Archaeologies of the Landscapes and Archaeologies of the HolocaustHolocaust

NAZI ATTEMPTS TO HIDE THEIR CRIMES

DEFIANCE, RESISTANCE, POWERLESSNESS

VICTIM AND PERPETRATOR ARCHAEOLOGY

BURIAL AND DISPOSAL METHODS

““Beyond camps and forced labourBeyond camps and forced labour””??

Archaeological work has focused on main Archaeological work has focused on main camps in the pastcamps in the past

Need to also examine smaller, less well-known Need to also examine smaller, less well-known sitessites

Dr. Caroline Sturdy CollsDr. Caroline Sturdy Colls

Lecturer in Forensic Lecturer in Forensic InvestigationInvestigation

Staffordshire UniversityStaffordshire UniversityC.sturdy-colls@staffs.ac.uk

(+44)1782 295795(+44)1782 295795