German porcelain fragments and makers marks on other items from conflict archaeology excavation in Finland

[Jan]

Winter is here and with that we will have a short break with the scientific excavations. Here are few pictures from our last excavations and research in 2016. Now it´s time to head for the archives in Finland and Germany and start researching the thousands of artefacts we have found so far. Thanks to all who participated and to the organizers. We work responsibly in co-operation with Museum authorities, The Defence Forces and the Police.

[Jan]

Since the beginning of this year I have been preoccupied with the cataloging and sorting of excavation finds from the 2014-2016 field seasons. The time consuming work (that´s part of the work on my doctoral dissertation of the German "Durchganslager Hangö" at the University of Helsinki)) is done at "Kaapelitehdas" in Helsinki.

The finds will be displayed in Helsinki 2017(photographic exhibition) and Hanko (museum exhibition 2018 ("Durchgangslager Hangö 1942-1944"). The finds, find catalogs and excavation reports will be kept by Hangö Museum after the exhibitions in Helsinki and Hanko.

At the start of the project I decided that I will try to collect a total sample from a couple of closed find contexts of the German WW2 "Durchhangslager". Seems I made the right choice, although the find material is overwhelming. The osteological analysis and macrophossile sample analysis have not yet been completed.

The finds from the excavations include a wide range of finds that illustrate many different aspects of daily life in the different areas of the camp. Interesting objects that have been overlooked during the excavation pop up on a daily basis. Todays interesting small finds included a wonderful silver bracelet, well preserved fragments of black uniform cloth and a couple of military items ( some with nice markings on them).

I will try to post finds here on a daily basis starting tomorrow 7.2.2017!

Best,

Jan

[Jan]

Todays work

Best, Jan

[Jan]

Spring is here and tomorrow it´s time for the first field trip to the site in 2017. I hope to be able to share pictures of finds from the scientific conflict archaeology dig of the "Durchgangslager" with you here on a regular basis again.

Best, Jan

[Eismeerfront]

Thanx for great working and information
photos!
What kind of MD used your team?

[Jan]

We are not metal detecting we are conducting scientific archaeological digs using traditional archaeological excavating and documentation procedures. The work will result in a doctoral dissertation (University of Helsinki) about the history of the German WW2 transition camp in 2019.

Here are a few of the finds from the excavations yesterday.

Best, Jan

[rbminis]

This item from post #40 is a lice comb.


I have very similar examples from Japan made from bone.
Ralph.

[Chopperman]

Very interesting thread. Keep up the good work.

[Jan]

A few more finds from the start of the 2017 excavation season (29.5-2.6.2017). The scientific conflict archaeology project documents and studies the material remains of the German transition camp as well as the Soviet prescence in the area (1940-1941). All excavation work is supervised by experienced archaeologists and archaeology students from the University of Helsinki and the university of Aberdeen. The finds are all kept and cataloged by the town museum.

Best, Jan

[Jan]

A few more finds from the last couple of days. We also managed to locate the exact spot of the German gun emplacement!