Are Two Bodies in a Trench a Mass Grave?

An Attempt to Bridge the Gap Between Single and Mass Graves

Authors

  • Roland Wessling Cranfield University
  • Allie Spoletini Cranfield University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/faae.25336

Keywords:

grave classification, forensic archaeology, single grave, mass grave, multiple grave

Abstract

WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS IMAGES OF MASS GRAVES FROM GENOCIDES, WHICH SOME MAY FIND DISTURBING

The definitions for mass graves proposed in the past concentrated on the minimum number of casualties and whether they were in a connected body matrix. This meant that many graves practitioners encounter could not be classified properly. They were neither a single grave nor a mass grave. This article proposes four key measures to address the grave classification issue. Firstly, it introduces three simple criteria to assist in classification. Secondly, it suggests three new grave types (cluster, trench, and serial grave) to name the most common graves. Thirdly, a final grave type, the multiple grave, is added to describe any grave that does not fit into any of the other categories. Finally, this article suggests that the threshold between multiple and many casualties, i.e. how many casualties constitutes a mass grave, should be set for each individual conflict or context rather than aiming for a universal figure. These four measures are designed to be simple, intuitive and flexible enough to allow practitioners to use grave labels that make sense in their particular context for forensic and legal professionals as well as the general public.

Author Biography

  • Roland Wessling, Cranfield University

    Roland Wessling is a freelance forensic archaeologist who has worked as an international atrocity crime investigator in Bosnia, Croatia, Iraq, Cyprus and France as well as working on domestic crime cases in the UK and Germany. Roland regularly participates in delivering short courses in the USA and has done similar projects in Colombia. Most recently, Roland was one of the two Senior Archaeologists of the team that excavated 250 British and Australian Soldiers from WWI in Fromelles, France. For more information, please visit the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.

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Published

2024-03-27

How to Cite

Wessling, Roland, and Allie Spoletini. 2024. “Are Two Bodies in a Trench a Mass Grave? An Attempt to Bridge the Gap Between Single and Mass Graves”. Forensic Archaeology, Anthropology and Ecology, March. https://doi.org/10.1558/faae.25336.