landscapes of memory: recording the archaeological remains of the holocaust caroline sturdy colls
TRANSCRIPT
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)
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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
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What can we detect?
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Vegetation Change
Increased Growth
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Vegetation Change
Reduced Growth
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Vegetation Change
Differential Growth
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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 [email protected]
(+44)1782 295795(+44)1782 295795