Rupert GIETL | Daniela ZAMBELLI
(Arc-Team – HZ-Architects, Sexten/Padola, Italy)
Keywords: WW1, Conflict Archaeology, High Alpine Frontline, Survey
Abstract:
With the centenary years 2014–2018 conflict archaeology of WW1 is coming into the limelight. Our overriding objective in the years to come must focus on taking stock of all material remains from the WWI era.
As a result of the developments in satellite geodesy and 3D documentation, it is now possible to approach this task on a wide scale and comparatively economically. The data collected form the basis of targeted protection measures and provide for future reference numerous new methods of presentation which fulfill the requirements of nature and monument preservation as well as the growing interest of demographic groups.
For that reason we have conducted an extensive archaeological survey campaign in high alpine environment during the summer season 2014. The project area is located on the western Carnic Ridge, on the border between the Austrian Region of Tyrol and the Italian Province of Belluno.
We’ve had to find out a rapid, lightweight and low cost method to document the uncountable amount of structures along both frontlines.
The area of our project is an approximately 2.5 km long section of the Austro-Hungarian lines between the summits of Eisenreich and Pfannspitze, on an altitude between 2400 and 2700 m.s.l. On the opposite side, about 1200 meters southwards, we have documented the Italian positions around Mount Quaternà.
Between 1915 and 1917 the whole area was the strongly fortified scene of continuous artillery duels.
Because of the seclusion of this area, today there we can find some of the best preserved residues of WW1 in the whole area. We have collected data of a total amount of more than 2000 archaeological remains just in this sector.
A final aim of our efforts is the creation of digital tools which should become an sustainable alternative/extension to the concept of outdoor museums.