Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T22:21:57.908Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

From Landscape of War to Archaeological Report: Ten Years of Professional World War I Archaeology in Flanders (Belgium)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 January 2017

Yannick Van Hollebeeke ,
Birger Stichelbaut  and
Jean Bourgeois
Yannick Van Hollebeeke
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, Ghent University, Belgium
Birger Stichelbaut
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, Ghent University, Belgium
Jean Bourgeois
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, Ghent University, Belgium
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

With the commemoration of World War I (WWI) under way, a preliminary stocktaking can be made of archaeological research into the physical remains of this war. The question is to what extent the perspective on the study of WWI heritage, and consequently the way in which archaeological research into WWI remains has been conducted, has evolved over the last ten years. Are relics from WWI seen as a legitimate subject of inquiry or does its archaeology as a discipline still strive for recognition? This paper deals with the practices surrounding WWI archaeology in Flanders, Belgium, as well as the (methodological) problems concerning the study of WWI archaeological remains, based on the reports resulting from fieldwork carried out by professional archaeologists.

À l'occasion des commémorations de la Première Guerre mondiale, le temps est venu d'effectuer un inventaire préalable de la recherche archéologique sur les vestiges physiques de cette guerre. La question est de savoir dans quelle mesure la perspective sur les études de l'héritage de la Grande Guerre—et par conséquent la façon par laquelle les recherches archéologiques de ses vestiges ont été menées—a évolué durant les dix dernières années. Les reliques de la Première Guerre mondiale sont-elles considérées comme un légitime sujet d'enquête, ou faut-il que cette archéologie lutte toujours pour sa reconnaissance? Nous analysons ici les pratiques de l'archéologie de la Première Guerre mondiale en Flandre (Belgique) ainsi que les problèmes (méthodologiques) soulevés lors de l'étude des restes archéologiques de cette guerre, en nous basant sur les comptes rendus provenant du travail sur le terrain mené par des archéologues professionnels.

Zusammenfassung

Zusammenfassung

Im Zuge der aktuellen Erinnerung an den Ersten Weltkrieg kann eine vorläufige Bestandsaufnahme der archäologischen Erforschung der physischen Hinterlassenschaften dieses Krieges vorgenommen werden. Es stellt sich die Frage, in welchem Maße sich die Perspektive der Untersuchung des historischen Erbes des Ersten Weltkrieges—und dementsprechend auch die archäologische Erforschung seiner Hinterlassenschaften—im Laufe der letzten zehn Jahre entwickelt hat. Werden Überreste des Ersten Weltkriegs mittlerweile als seriöses Untersuchungsfeld angesehen oder kämpft ihre Archäologie noch immer als Anerkennung als Disziplin? Auf der Basis von Forschungsberichten professioneller Archäologen diskutiert dieser Beitrag die Praktiken der Archäologie des Ersten Weltkrieges in Flandern (Belgien) sowie auch ihre methodologischen Probleme. Translation by Heiner Schwarzberg.

Keywords

World War Imodern conflict archaeologyaerial photographybattlefield archaeologyarchaeological practicematerial culturePremière Guerre mondialearchéologie des conflits modernesphotographie aériennearchéologie des champs de bataillepratique archéologiqueculture matérielleErster WeltkriegArchäologie moderner KonflikteLuftbildfotografieSchlachtfeldarchäologiearchäologische Praxismaterielle Kultur
Type
Articles
Information
European Journal of Archaeology , Volume 17 , Issue 4 , 2014 , pp. 702 - 719
Copyright
Copyright © European Association of Archaeologists 2014 

References

Bourgeois, J., Stichelbaut, B. & Van Hollebeeke, Y. 2013. WOI erfgoedonderzoek Komen-Waasten. Inventarisatie en analyse van bovengronds bewaarde WOI-relicten in de gemeente Komen-Waasten (unpublished report) [online]. [accessed 27 March 2014]. Available at: http://www.mendeley.com/research/woi-erfgoedonderzoek-komenwaasten-inventarisatie-en-analyse-van-bovengronds-bewaarde-woirelicten-gem/.Google Scholar
Brown, M. & Osgood, R. 2009. Digging Up Plugstreet. The Archaeology of a Great War Battlefield. Yeovil: Haynes Publishing.Google Scholar
Debaeke, S. 2010. Oud ijzer. De frontstreek bedolven onder levensgevaarlijke oorlogsmunitie. Brugge: De Klaproos.Google Scholar
De Clercq, W., Bats, M., Bourgeois, J., Crombé, P., De Mulder, G., De Reu, J., Herremans, D., Laloo, P., Lombaert, L., Plets, G., Sergant, J. & Stichelbaut, B. 2012. Development-Led Archaeology in Flanders: An Overview of Practices and Results in the Period 1990–2010. In: Webley, L., Vander Linden, M., Haselgrove, C. & Richard, B., eds. Development-Led Archaeology in Northwest Europe, Proceedings of a Round Table at the University of Leicester. Oxford: Oxbow Books, pp. 22–28.Google Scholar
Demeurie, D. & Vandewalle, J. 2006. Onder Dak. Over barakken en noodwoningen na W.O. 1. Diksmuide: IJzerbedevaartcomité.Google Scholar
de Meyer, M. 2009. World War 1 Battlefields of the Ypres Salient Mapped and Analysed with Aerial Photographs. A Confrontation with the Current Landscape and Archaeology. In: Stichelbaut, B., Bourgeois, J., Saunders, N. & Chielens, P., eds. Images of Conflict: Military Aerial Photography and Archaeology. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, pp. 203–20.Google Scholar
Dendooven, D. 2003. Menin Gate and Last Post: Ypres as Holy Ground. Koksijde: Klaproos.Google Scholar
Desfossés, Y., Jacques, A. & Prilaux, G. 2008. L'Archéologie de la Grande Guerre. Rennes: Editions Ouest-France.Google Scholar
Dewilde, M. 2009. Het onroerend erfgoed van de ‘Groote Oorlog’ in de Westhoek: Verleden en toekomst. In: Biesbrouck, B., ed. Fortengordels Nu! Actuele omgang met forten, gordels en verdedigingslinies: verslagboek van het colloquium Antwerpen 25–26 September 2009. Antwerpen: Provincie Antwerpen.Google Scholar
Dewilde, M. 2010. Onderzoeksbalans—Archeologisch oorlogserfgoed [online]. [accessed 18 April 2013]. Available at: <http://www.onderzoeksbalans.be/onderzoeksbalans/thematisch/eerste-wereldoorlogerfgoed/archeologie>..>Google Scholar
Dewilde, M., de Meyer, M. & Saunders, N. 2007. Archeologie van de ‘Groote Oorlog’. De Vlaamse situatie. Monumenten, Landschappen en Archeologie, 26 (1): 37–54.Google Scholar
Freeman, P.W.M. & Pollard, A. eds. 2001. Fields of Conflict: Progress and Prospect in Battlefield Archaeology. British Archaeological Reports International Series 958. Oxford: Archaeopress.Google Scholar
Jacobs, K. & Pollard, T. 2008. Vampir Dugout. Association for Battlefield Archaeology and Conservation & Centre for Battlefield Archaeology, University of Glasgow (unpublished report).Google Scholar
Klausmeier, A., Purbrick, L. & Schofield, J. 2006. Reflexivity and Record: Re-Mapping Conflict Archaeology. In: Schofield, J., Klausmeier, A. & Purbrick, L., eds. Re-Mapping the Field: New Approaches in Conflict Archaeology. Berlin/Bonn: Westkreuz-Verlag.Google Scholar
Landolt, M., Bolley, A., Lesjean, F. & Mellinger, D. 2012. Le contant alimentaire en verre pendant la Première Guerre Mondiale: une spécificité de l'approvisionnement des troupes allemandes. In: Mergoil, M., ed. Le verre en Lorraine et dans les régions voisines: Actes du colloque de l'AFAV, Metz, 18 et 19 novembre 2011. Montagnac: Monique mergoil, pp. 307–23.Google Scholar
Meire, J. 2003. De stilte van de Salient. De herinnering aan de Eerste Wereldoorlog rond Ieper. Tielt: Lannoo.Google Scholar
Robertshaw, A. & Kenyon, D. 2008. Digging the Trenches: Archaeology of the Western Front. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military.Google Scholar
Saey, T., Stichelbaut, B., Bourgeois, J. & Van Eetvelde, V. 2013. An Interdisciplinary Non-Invasive Approach to Landscape Archaeology of the Great War. Archaeological Prospection, 20 (1): 39–44.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Saunders, N.J. 2010. Killing Time: Archaeology and the First World War, 2nd ed. Stroud: Sutton Publishing.Google Scholar
Saunders, N.J. ed. 2013. Beyond the Dead Horizon. Studies in Modern Conflict Archaeology. Oxford: Oxbow Books.Google Scholar
Schofield, J. 2005. Combat Archaeology. Material Culture and Modern Conflict. London: Gerald Duckworth & Co.Google Scholar
Scott, D.D. & McFeaters, A.P. 2011. The Archaeology of Historic Battlefields: A History and Theoretical Development in Conflict Archaeology. Journal of Archaeological Research, 19 (1): 103–32.Google Scholar
Stichelbaut, B. 2009a. World War One Aerial Photography: An Archaeological Perspective (, Ghent University).Google Scholar
Stichelbaut, B. ed. 2009b. Images of Conflict: Military Aerial Photography and Archaeology. Newcastle: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.Google Scholar
Stichelbaut, B. 2011. The First Thirty Kilometres of the Western Front 1914–1918: An Aerial Archaeological Approach with Historical Remote Sensing Data. Archaeological Prospection, 18 (1): 57–66.Google Scholar
Stichelbaut, B., Gheyle, W. & Bourgeois, J. 2010. Great War Aerial Photographs: The Imperial War Museum's Box Collection. In: Cowley, D.C., Standring, R.A. & Abicht, M.J., eds. Landscapes Through the Lens: Aerial Photographs and Historic Environment. Oxford: Oxbow Books, pp. 225–36.Google Scholar
Sutherland, T. 2005. Battlefield Archaeology—A Guide to the Archaeology of Conflict. Bradford: British Archaeological Jobs and Resources [online]. [accessed 9 May 2014]. Available at: <http://www.bajr.org/documents/bajrbattleguide.pdf>.Google Scholar
Vernimme, N. 2010. Omgaan met oorlogserfgoed. VIOE-handleidingen 02. Brussel: Vlaams Instituut voor Onroerend Erfgoed.Google Scholar
War Office. 1917. Manual of Position Warfare for All Arms. Part I; The Construction of Field Positions. London: War Office. General Staff.Google Scholar
Wouters, W. 2012. Development-Led Archaeology in Flanders: The Legal Framework. In: Webley, L., Vander Linden, M., Haselgrove, C. & Richard, B., eds. Development-Led Archaeology in Northwest Europe, Proceedings of a Round Table at the University of Leicester. Oxford: Oxbow Books, pp. 22–28.Google Scholar