Marek E. Jasinski

The Polish Genetic Database of Victims of Totalitarianisms

This paper describes the creation of the Polish Genetic Database of Victims of Totalitarianism and the first research conducted under this project. On September 28th 2012, the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin and the Institute of National Remembrance-Commission for Prosecution of Crimes against the Polish Nation agreed to support the creation of the Polish Genetic Database of Victims of Totalitarianism (PBGOT, www.pbgot.pl). The purpose was to employ state-of-the-art methods of forensic genetics to identify the remains of unidentified victims of Communist and Nazi totalitarian regimes. The database was designed to serve as a central repository of genetic information of the victims DNA and that of the victims nearest living relatives, with the goal of making a positive identification of the victim. Along the way, PGBOT encountered several challenges. First, extracting useable DNA samples from the remains of individuals who had been buried for over half a century required forensic geneticists to create special procedures and protocols. Second, obtaining genetic reference material and historical information from the victims closest relatives was both problematic and urgent. The victims nearest living relatives were part of a dying generation, and the opportunity to obtain the best genetic and historical information about the victims would soon die with them. For this undertaking, PGBOT assembled a team of historians, archaeologists, forensic anthropologists, and forensic geneticists from several European research institutions. The field work was divided into five broad categories: (1) exhumation of victim remains and storing their biological material for later genetic testing; (2) researching archives and historical data for a more complete profile of those killed or missing and the families that lost them; (3) locating the victims nearest relatives to obtain genetic reference samples (swabs), (4) entering the genetic data from both victims and family members into a common database; (5) making a conclusive, final identification of the victim. PGBOTs first project was to identify victims of the Communist regime buried in hidden mass graves in the Powązki Military Cemetery in Warsaw. Throughout 2012 and 2013, PGBOT carried out archaeological exhumations in the Powązki Military Cemetery that resulted in the recovery of the skeletal remains of 194 victims in several mass graves. Of the 194 sets of remains, more than 50 victims have been successfully matched and identified through genetic evidence.

Applications of remotely controlled equipment in Norwegian marine archaeology

Since early 1993 the Department of Marine Systems Design and the Department of Archaeology at the University of Trondheim, Norway has worked together on a joint project examining the use of modern technology in marine (underwater) archaeological research. The project seeks to exploit the use of remotely operated vehicles, computer technology and specialised tools such as laser measurement systems, underwater positioning, digital maps etc. to enhance productivity and safety in marine archaeological surveys and excavations. This sort of technology also renders marine archaeological field research possible in depths beyond the reach of diving archaeologists i.e. deeper than 30 meters according to Norwegian work-safety regulations. The projects focus is on the application of existing and new technology, the modification of existing equipment to suit the particular needs of this application and the development of a marine archaeological methodology for this type of operations. The project conducts a number of field trials, and currently work is being carried out at a medieval harbour construction in Agdenes (approximately 110 km north-west of Trondheim), and an 18th century Russian Navy shipwreck called the Jedinorog (the Unicorn) which sank off the coast of central Norway in approximately 280 meters depth. This paper presents the methods and technology used so far and draws some preliminary conclusions as to the appropriateness of these solutions and possible developments in the near future.

Reinforced Concrete, Steel and Slaves: Archaeological Studies of Prisoners of World War II in Norway—The Case of Romsdal Peninsula

During World War II, Norway experienced the biggest number of German troops and foreign PoWs relative to its own population of any country. The establishing of Festung Norwegen—giant fortifications along the Norwegian coast as part of the Atlantic Wall, as well as other substantial German investments including the Arctic Railway in Northern Norway; the main Norwegian motorway from the South to the high North (Rv 50, today’s E-6) and increasing the electrical power and aluminium production needed by the Luftwaffe, all demanded a huge and constant supply of manpower and labour. The results of archaeological surveys of Atlantic Wall fortifications and prisoner camps in the region of Romsdal Peninsula in Central Norway highlight issues of preservation, interpretation and the role of such remains in collective memory.

Ormen Lange: investigation and excavation of a shipwreck in 170m depth

Final conclusions have not yet been reached. However, it seems likely that the ship is a merchantman of around 40 meters in length that was either trading on the Norwegian coast or passing by. Using the unique new technology developed for this project it is possible to conduct mapping, surveying, sampling and excavation of shipwrecks in deep water. The Ormen Lange project is the most technologically advanced deepwater archaeology project, and first major deepwater archaeological excavation of a shipwreck that has been performed world-wide. The only comparable projects are treasure related salvage operations, but these cannot be called marine archaeology. In fact, this project shows that marine archaeology in deepwater can be carried out with purely scientific goals and without economic motives. 14 shipwrecks have been discovered in the pipeline routes. This clearly shows that the potential of deepwater archaeology is high. Marine archaeological investigations should therefore be an integral part of all industrial development projects in deepwater.

The Ormen Lange marine archaeology project

The Ormen Lange field is located in the Norwegian Sea, 100 kilometres north-west of the coast of Mid-Norway. It is Norways largest gas field, and was proven through drilling by Norsk Hydro in 1997. The development of the Ormen Lange field includes installation of a subsea production system, which will be piped directly to an onshore process and export plant. The pipelines pass through an area that is on the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritages list of areas with special priority for marine archaeology and protection of underwater heritage. The area was visited by Norwegian and foreign vessels since the Middle Ages in connection with rich herring fisheries, timber trade, general trade, and naval operations. Norsk Hydro presented existing survey data from their proposed pipeline routes. Although the multibeam and sidescan surveys had detected 8 modem shipwrecks in the area, it was decided that the existing survey data were inadequate to detect, with reasonable certainty, the presence of archaeological material in the proposed pipeline corridors NTNU therefore carried out a marine archaeological survey in the planned pipeline corridors in August and October 2003 to fulfil the requirements in the Norwegian Law on Protection of Cultural Heritage. The team utilised a 60-feet catamaran equipped with a Kongsberg Simrad DP system, and a Sperre ROV equipped with Kongsberg Simrad sonar and camera equipment to locate shipwrecks in the pipeline corridors. The ROV was flown along the centreline of the pipeline routes. Sonar images were interpreted on the fly and used to locate potential targets. When an interesting target was located, the ROV was flown to it and the target was inspected using the ROVs video cameras, while the survey ship was holding position. During the surveys in August and September 4 modem and 2 historical shipwrecks were discovered in or close to the planned pipeline routes. The most important discovery was a historical shipwreck situated close to the planned pipeline routes. It was detected by the sidescan sonar system used as the primary survey instrument, in concert with the ROV cameras used for visual inspection of the seafloor and seafloor anomalies. Upon closer inspection it was determined that the site was a historically significant wreck, in a state of good preservation. The site contains thousands of artefacts, some exposed on the seafloor surface while others are buried under several centimetres of sandy-silt that is being transported across the site by tidal currents.

Deepwater archaeology - status and potential

This paper will discuss the Ormen Lange deepwater archaeology project.