Landscapes of Memory: Recording the Archaeological Remains of the Holocaust

1. Landscapes of Memory: Recording the Archaeological Remains of the Holocaust Caroline Sturdy Colls

3. CONFLICT and FORENSIC ARCHAEOLOGY • Over the last decade, forensic archaeologists have played a central role in war crimes investigation • Studies of other twentieth century conflicts have escalated

4. HOLOCAUST LANDSCAPES PROJECT • 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.

5. Layers of History Archaeological data and site histories can reveal information about the various layers of a site. These can be: • Physical; • Metaphorical; • Social

7. POST-ABANDONMENT HISTORIES Approaches to sites are often a reflection of various issues: • Needs/circumstances of the local community • Politics • Societal divisions • Religious beliefs • Ethical tensions • Financial resources

8. 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

9. Methods Used and Features Detected

10. Stages • Historical Review • Landscape Mapping • Subterranean Mapping • Processing and Visualisation • Dissemination and Commemoration ALWAYS PARALLEL TO CULTURAL MEMORY RESEARCH

11. 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. Site Histories • Map regression • Local history search • County Sites and Monuments Records (SMR's), • National records (NMR) • Walkover survey • Aerial photographs • Geotechnical records • GIS based analysis 12

13. What can we detect? Disturbance This can take many forms – some will be visible from the surface, others will only be detectable below the ground 13

14. Vegetation Change Increased Growth 14

15. Vegetation Change Reduced Growth 15

16. Vegetation Change Differential Growth 16

17. Depressions 17

18. DGPS Total Station

19. Digital Terrain Models

21. Defining Boundaries

22. Feature Recording

23. One of the buried structures identified at Lager Norderney (left) Point data recorded using DGPS and total station survey

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

26. Geophysical Survey • 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

27. GPR

29. Features consistent with pits, burials, walls, building foundations and other features can all be recorded Data can be manipulated into 3D

30. Other Geophysical Methods • Other methods are available that measure different properties in the soil • All methods allow us to examine contrasts between anomalies and the surrounding soil

32. Visualisation • Alternatives to on-site memorialisation/museumscape • Facilitate greater access to cultural heritage

33. Landscapes and Archaeologies of the Holocaust • VICTIM AND PERPETRATOR ARCHAEOLOGY • BURIAL AND DISPOSAL METHODS • DEFIANCE, RESISTANCE, POWERLESSNESS • NAZI ATTEMPTS TO HIDE THEIR CRIMES

34. “Beyond camps and forced labour”? • Archaeological work has focused on main camps in the past • Need to also examine smaller, less well-known sites

35. Dr. Caroline Sturdy Colls Lecturer in Forensic Investigation Staffordshire University C.sturdy-colls@staffs.ac.uk (+44)1782 295795