Carefully digging up the past

Two members of the University of Glasgow GUARD team work to excavate pits 1 and 2 by hand on day three of the limited excavation.

Department of Defence photograher

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Fromelles excavation site

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THE Australian Army commissioned a limited excavation of the Pheasant Wood group burial site in Fromelles, France in May 2008.

Earlier non-invasive surveys and archival research suggested that soldiers were buried at the site by German Forces following the Battle of Fromelles on 19-20 July, 1916.

The limited excavation by the Glasgow University Archaeology Research Division (GUARD) confirmed the presence of WWI remains.

GUARD estimated that up to 400 remains were located in the site.

In May this year the archaeological excavation operation to recover the soldiers began.

Construction of a cemetery is under way and on track for the reinterments starting on January 30 next year.

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