Traces of War: The Archaeology of the First World War

The First World War in Flanders left a devastated landscape, and the population returned to rebuild. This book is the first of its kind to document the archaeological remains of the war, including military camps, hospitals, and trenches, and the personal fates of fallen soldiers and horses. It is supported by visual data.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 17 October 2018
Publisher: Uitgeverij Kannibaal

After the First World War, the Western Front in Flanders was transformed into a desolate wasteland. When the population returned, they faced the daunting task of rebuilding the region and making it habitable again. All traces of the war were erased, leaving only what remained in the ground, now known as the archaeological soil archive.

Throughout the Westhoek, 30 centimeters beneath the ground and invisible to the naked eye, the archaeological remains of the war lie dormant. This book, the first of its kind, is a comprehensive compilation of the findings of ten years of First World War archaeology in Belgium. Written in a clear and accessible manner, it explores numerous spectacular discoveries made during excavations at over 150 sites in the front-line region. It also delves into the unexpected role of the landscape as the final witness to the war.

These material remains from military camps, hospitals, and trenches provide a glimpse into day-to-day life at the front, while also shedding light on the personal fates of several fallen soldiers and countless horses. The text is supported by a wealth of visual data, including photographs of excavated artifacts, maps, aerial photographs, and other archival material.

Weight: 852g
Dimension: 215 x 263 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789492677518