Page 51 - Studia Universitatis Hereditati, vol. 5(2) (2017)
P. 51
ia universitatisthick, several iron items were found, close to Figure. 3. Grave 10- the skeleton of a German soldier in
the skeleton, at the level of its legs. There was situ (Photo: Krešimir Filipec, 2007).
for ensics and archaeology: the ethical approach to gr aves excavation and r esearch 51 a tube that looked like a barrel of an automat-
ic firearm, or as a fragment of a firearm used in Figure. 4. Grave 10- the upper part of the skeleton of a
World War II. So when, after defining skeleton German soldier in situ (Photo: Krešimir Filipec, 2007).
remains, remains of a firearm emerged from the entire burial pit with the skeleton was enclosed
soil, the Ministry of the Interior, the police, had in the documentation. After being stabilized
to be informed, because it was obvious that the and raised, the skeletal remains were taken to the
skeleton belonged to a victim of World War II pathologist of the Department of Pathology and
or the post-war period. Indications for dating Forensic Medicine (Clinical Hospital Osijek)
the grave at that time were indisputable, due to for further analysis. Afterwards, the excavation,
the typization of armament found in it. The ex-
cavation continued according to the archaeolog-
ical methodology, starting from the legs’ posi-
tion. In archaeological research skeletal remains
are cleaned from the feet to the head. According
to the preliminary anthropological analysis, the
skeleton belonged to a male person aged 30-40
years at the time of death. In its grave, the skel-
eton was laid on the back and close to it more
small metal objects were detected (Fig 3).
In the shoulder area, close to the upper part
of the chest, a small iron emblem was found. It
was quite corroded, yet it still had clear outlines
reminiscent of a bird of prey, maybe an eagle.
The skeleton was completely cleaned according
to archaeological research methods. Metal but-
tons were detected at several positions close to
the skeleton: three at the level of both shoulders,
two at the chest level, two on the right humeral
bone and six more, almost in line near the spine
on both sides, from the suprasternal notch to the
waist level (Fig 4). The soil around and close to
it was also removed and levelled with the skele-
ton. Since the grave was shallow, when a plough-
ing layer of 30 cm was removed, a very thick layer
of about 10-15 cm for the burial itself remained.
The skeleton was very poorly preserved, so it was
more like a medieval burial than from the years
1941-1945. Each segment of the work was care-
fully performed, checking several times so as not
to miss anything. Each phase was documented
with description, photographs and drawings. A
detailed plan and profile (cross-sectional) maps
of the skeleton were made before it was removed.
In the end, the final image, a photograph of the
the skeleton, at the level of its legs. There was situ (Photo: Krešimir Filipec, 2007).
for ensics and archaeology: the ethical approach to gr aves excavation and r esearch 51 a tube that looked like a barrel of an automat-
ic firearm, or as a fragment of a firearm used in Figure. 4. Grave 10- the upper part of the skeleton of a
World War II. So when, after defining skeleton German soldier in situ (Photo: Krešimir Filipec, 2007).
remains, remains of a firearm emerged from the entire burial pit with the skeleton was enclosed
soil, the Ministry of the Interior, the police, had in the documentation. After being stabilized
to be informed, because it was obvious that the and raised, the skeletal remains were taken to the
skeleton belonged to a victim of World War II pathologist of the Department of Pathology and
or the post-war period. Indications for dating Forensic Medicine (Clinical Hospital Osijek)
the grave at that time were indisputable, due to for further analysis. Afterwards, the excavation,
the typization of armament found in it. The ex-
cavation continued according to the archaeolog-
ical methodology, starting from the legs’ posi-
tion. In archaeological research skeletal remains
are cleaned from the feet to the head. According
to the preliminary anthropological analysis, the
skeleton belonged to a male person aged 30-40
years at the time of death. In its grave, the skel-
eton was laid on the back and close to it more
small metal objects were detected (Fig 3).
In the shoulder area, close to the upper part
of the chest, a small iron emblem was found. It
was quite corroded, yet it still had clear outlines
reminiscent of a bird of prey, maybe an eagle.
The skeleton was completely cleaned according
to archaeological research methods. Metal but-
tons were detected at several positions close to
the skeleton: three at the level of both shoulders,
two at the chest level, two on the right humeral
bone and six more, almost in line near the spine
on both sides, from the suprasternal notch to the
waist level (Fig 4). The soil around and close to
it was also removed and levelled with the skele-
ton. Since the grave was shallow, when a plough-
ing layer of 30 cm was removed, a very thick layer
of about 10-15 cm for the burial itself remained.
The skeleton was very poorly preserved, so it was
more like a medieval burial than from the years
1941-1945. Each segment of the work was care-
fully performed, checking several times so as not
to miss anything. Each phase was documented
with description, photographs and drawings. A
detailed plan and profile (cross-sectional) maps
of the skeleton were made before it was removed.
In the end, the final image, a photograph of the
