https://www.sapiens.org/archaeology/the-darkest-truths/
When it comes to subject matter such as the Holocaust it is bound to spark a conversation. Svoboda’s article about work in Treblinka, Sobibór, and Bełżec, Poland is one of a sensitive but deeply important nature. This all in a day and age when it seems many people still need to be reminded of the sheer magnitude of damage that can be caused by segregation and discrimination.
Despite the fact that the War occurred roughly 75 years ago, I think that it is still such an important topic of discussion. I myself was able to make the trip to the more well known concentration camps Auschwitz I, and the labour camp turned extermination camp, Auschwitz II – Birkenau about a year and a half ago. As an anthropology major, I understand that there is a need for reflexivity, relativity, and objectivity (to the best humanly possible extent) in the examination of anything whether it be an ancient culture or a historical site such as the Nazi camps of World War II; I also cannot deny that going to Auschwitz I and II was the kind of experience that sticks with you, and that there is something that just cannot be explained about the feelings I had when I walked through the camps.
I respect the technological methods and the ethics of the archaeologists highlighted in the article who were able to work with members of the Jewish community to make compromises in using non-invasive technologies and tactics to analyze the sites because the way that the knowledge from the Holocaust has been distributed has been, for the most part, on a global scale. It’s the kind of knowledge that the Jewish community should, and I do believe they have, priority privilege to, but the world needs to know as well in order to prevent and fight against similar inhumanities which have had or been occurring in places around the world, eg: Soviet Union, Rwanda, Sudan, and the one that comes to mind as a very current situation would be in Myanmar; this is just naming a few because these do not make even a dent in the list.
So when Svobdova also mentions the online attacks on Sturdy Colls by neo-Nazis and the skepticisms of Holocaust deniers, I am unfortunately unsurprised, but equally horrified for what it could mean for the future. Regardless it is important to continue the work in sites like these. When Svobdova asks, “how necessary is it to turn an exacting new lens on long-buried atrocities,” my mind goes directly to the quote, “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Cliché, yes, but I believe in it strongly. It’s when we stop analyzing the long and lost data completely that we begin to move backwards and I dare say we aren’t too far from a turning point, whether that be in the right direction or the wrong one is to be determined.
I agree with Hannah that history is indeed violent. What happened in Treblinka, Sobibor, and surrounding camps are inexcusable. The notion that previous studies have focused on witness testimonies over physical evidence (due to burning of records and few prisoners surviving) is something that has never crossed my mind. With the sensitivity surrounding the camps overall, has anyone previously tried to excavate to find further evidence as to what might have happened?
Hannah makes a very good point that attacks by neo-Nazis are unsurprising yet horrifying, and could be worrisome for the future. The work Sturdy Colls has done is very commendable in my opinion, with her non-invasive techniques and uncovering information that otherwise could not have been brought forth is crucial so history will not repeat itself.