Gabriel Moshenska

The archaeology of the Second World War is a fast-growing field, part of wider developments in conflict archaeology, heritage management, and allied disciplines. Ranging from Arctic forests to Pacific islands and European cities, Second World War archaeology is methodologically diverse, and many practitioners work closely with stakeholder communities. These projects are often linked to heritage management, tourism development, casualty recovery, and the creation of memorial sites. Much of this work has drawn on oral testimonies and memory narratives: now, some eighty years on, the Second World War sits on the cusp of living memory. This workshop will be the first dedicated international forum for Second World War archaeologists. It brings together ten scholars from seven different countries to share critical reflections on their work, and to consider future directions for the field. The discussion themes will include: (1) how to work with living communities, including ethical and practical dimensions; (2) how the commemorative functions of conflict archaeology will be transformed as we move beyond living memory; and (3) strategies for international networking and collaboration in Second World War archaeology. The workshop will be structured around the discussion of pre-circulated papers, with the intention of publishing a book of the proceedings.