The Centre of Archaeology was commisioned to survey potential mass graves in the Vinnytsia region, Ukraine
In September 2016, The Centre of Archaeology at Staffordshire University was commissioned by Projekt Erinnerung bewahren (Protecting Memory Project) to undertake a series of non-intrusive forensic investigations at mass grave and suspected mass grave sites of the Holocaust in the Vinnytsia region of Ukraine. Seven sites were identified located at five separate locations; Chukov, Plyskiv (2 sites), Vakhnivka (2 sites), Lypovets and Samhorodok.
Fieldwork was undertaken between the 6th and the 14th of November 2016 by staff from the Centre of Archaeology in conjunction with EMC Radar Consulting, Aleksandra Wroblewska (Protecting Memory Project Co-ordinator) and a number of community volunteers. The fieldwork was supervised by two Rabbis from the Committee for the Preservation of Jewish Cemeteries in Europe and recorded by a professional photographer.
Second season commisioned
Following on from these investigations, the Centre was again commisioned in February 2017 to undertake a series of nonintrusive forensic investigations at mass grave and suspected mass grave sites of the Holocaust in the Zhytomir and Vinnytsia regions of the Ukraine.
Forensic test pitting was undertaken at Plyskiv to confirm the presence of human remains, following the results of a Ground Penetrating Radar Survey undertaken in late 2016. Seven sites were investigated. Four of these were located in the Zhytomir region; Khazhyn, Kolodianka, Liubar and Barashi. Three of these sites were located in the Vinnytsia region; Lypovets, Chukiv, Plyskiv.
Fieldwork was undertaken between the 22nd and the 30th of April 2017 by staff from the Centre of Archaeology in conjunction with EMC Radar Consulting, Aleksandra Wroblewska and Bozhena Kozakevych (Protecting Memory Project Co‐ordinators) and a number of community volunteers. The fieldwork was supervised by two Rabbis from the Committee for the Preservation of Jewish Cemeteries in Europe and recorded by a professional photographer.
The Centre of Archaeology specializes in conflict and Holocaust archaeology and in particular, have developed non-intrusive methodological approaches to forensic investigation of Holocaust sites. These approaches adhere to the religious and ethical sensitivities involved in this kind of research, including Halacha law.