| 13 May 2008 | 1:30pm - 3:30pm | CRASSH, 17 Mill Lane | |
- Description
Description
Speakers: Gilly Carr and Benjamin Morris (University of Cambridge)
Dr Gilly Carr (University of Cambridge)
The changing role of the debris of war: a case study from the Channel Islands
Abstract: During and immediately after the German occupation of the Channel Islands in WWII, everything connected with the occupation was thrown away, destroyed or dumped at sea. This was especially true of the heavy and light artillery and all weapons. The German-dug trenches were filled in and the concrete bunkers and tunnels were buried. As the years passed, collectors started to dredge or dig up what they could to furnish their museums. The bunkers were uncovered and slowly 'rehabilitated'. These once-hated reminders of the occupation are now seen as historic monuments. This seminar paper examines the changing reactions of the population to the debris of war over the last 60 years.
Extra Reading: Paul Virilio 1975. Bunker Archaeology. Princeton Architectural Press.
Bio: Dr Gilly Carr is a University Lecturer in Archaeology, based at Cambridge University's Institute of Continuing Education. She is also a Fellow, Tutor and Director of Studies in archaeology and anthropology at St Catharine's College. Her current field work is a British Academy funded project, the 'Archaeology of Occupation' using the case study of the German occupation of the Channel Islands in WWII.
Part of the Post-Conflict & Post-Crisis Research Colloquium
Over the next two academic years (2007-2009) the Post-Conflict and Post-Crisis Research Colloquium will seek to establish a number of regularly scheduled and publicised events, ranging from a visiting speaker programme to the extension of its smaller working subgroups (e.g. Religion and Conflict, and the Politics of Space). The group's activities over the first year (2007-2008) will culminate in a major two-day interdisciplinary conference on post-conflict and post-crisis reconstruction.
All welcome. No registration required.
