Battlefield archaeology is an specialisation of the discipline that studies armed conflicts that have occurred throughout history using documented remains found in the places they took place. It has an American origin, and is a field of study with an increasing importance in Spain.
The war, conflict or battlefield archaeology is a branch of archaeology that studies historical armed conflicts using documented remains found in the places they took place. Despite it has an American origin, this field of study is currently booming in our country due to the increase of the research of Spanish Civil War’s remains that have been found in the last years.
Despite this, the number of researchers dedicated to this field of archaeology is yet very small. Among them, Celemente González García, graduate of the Master’s Degree in Archaeology of the Universitat de València, stands out in the Valencian Community. The archaeologist has published different works, as well as an article in SAGVNTVM magazine, publication of the Department of Prehistory, Archaeology and Ancient History of the Universitat de València.
War, conflict or battlefield archaeology is a branch that studies historical armed conflicts using documented remains found in the places they took place.
According to González García, if there are not a great number of researchers dedicated to this branch is because it requires a great level of specialisation. This line of study demands not just a high knowledge of military tactics and organisation, but also of the functioning of weapons. Moreover, it is necessary to be able to recognise materials, and have a basic knowledge about the effect that explosives and weapons can have on original structures. To carry out its research, this field of work uses electronic and computer techniques, such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or LIDAR photography, aerial and satellite image, that are used in our Master’s Degree in Archaeology.
Sessions on Archaeology and Battlefields in Castellon
With the aim of exploring the battlefield archaeology, the Fine Arts Museum of Castellon hosted on 11 and 12 November the first sessions on Archaeology and Battlefield in the lands of Castellon. The sessions were organised by this museum along with Provincial Council. They also had the collaboration of the Sociedad Castellonense de la Cultura (Culture Society of Castellón), the Military History Museum of Castellón, the Aula Militar Bermúdez de Castro (Bermúdez de Castro Military-Cultural Association) and the Defence Subdelegation of Castellón.
In this session, in which Clemente González has participated, historians and archaeologist analysed the different armed conflicts that have branded the history of the province. Given the numerous combats that Castellón has starred, this is an interesting line of research that allows valuing the environment where those episodes took place and take a more objective view of these events. In addition, the study of the war past of the region might provide not just a greater knowledge about the conflicts themselves, but could also become a distinguishing and revitalizing element that gives this area cultural and touristic value.
