The interpretation of WWII conflict landscapes. Some case studies from the Netherlands

Abstract

From a wider disciplinary perspective, modern conflict archaeology is now a thoroughly established and mature sub-discipline and need no longer seek to explain itself. However, a main problem faced by conflict archaeologists in the Netherlands is that modern eras, including both World Wars, have not received serious attention. Although both World Wars appeal strongly to the popular imagination, modern conflict had not been approached from an archaeological perspective to any great extent in Dutch academia until recently. Since laws and legislation on the topic are problematic in the Netherlands, I will argue that Dutch archaeologists need a different methodological toolkit to be able to conduct conflict archaeology. When applied and interpreted appropriately, archaeology can play an important role in the preservation, the contemporary experience and the historical reconstruction of recent conflicts. However, research methods other than excavations will be needed.