Gestion of wars remains : Archaeo-anthropology of conflict in France
Résumé
The corpses of soldiers from the two world wars are a recurring issue, particularly regarding their management on French territory. Since French soldiers were awarded with the "Dead for France" mention, their remains have been the responsibility of the Ministry of the Armed Forces, which excludes archaeological and forensic management. The discipline of forensic archaeology, well known in Europe, is rarely, if ever, used in France. As a result, soldiers' finds are part of a new type of management linked to contemporary armed conflicts, directly attached to the Ministry of the Armed Forces (since the Franco-Prussian War of 1870). This poster shows how these remains are handled, from excavation to burial in the national necropolis or family vault. Artefacts, biological information, and archival context are valuable materials for understanding these contexts. For some of the deceased, identity is still accessible, and biological anthropology methods are essential to make the best use of the information available. DNA and genealogical studies are also part of the research process, pushing back the limits of possible identification in such contexts. Our work is an example of interdisciplinarity in this field of research, and of how we can open the doors to the duty of remembrance of a not-so-distant past.
Domaines
Sciences de l'environnement
Origine : Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s)