The incredibly well preserved WW1 trenches and battlefields of Flanders fields on the Western Front are the focus of this remarkable interview with Simon Verdegem, a battlefield archaeologist for BAAC Vlaanderen, Skylarcs, and Head Archaeologist for Dig Hill 80, an internationally crowdfunded WW1 battlefield archaeology project.

Join Dr. Tom and Luke as they investigate the fascinating and haunting world of World War I archaeology with Simon, an expert in uncovering the stories of soldiers on the Western Front. In this episode, we explore the impact of trench warfare on the combatants, the emotional toll of excavating battlefields and their dead, and the remarkable discoveries that shed light on the daily lives of soldiers. Simon shares his insights on trench construction and its evolution and the incredible preservation of archaeological finds, from the trenches, tunnels and bunkers that look little changed since 1918, to the harrowing remains of a soldier’s cuddly toy.

We also discuss the dangers of unexploded ordnance (UXO), the vital but traumatic journey of identifying fallen soldiers, and the international success of crowdfunding Dig Hill 80, an astonishingly intact battlefield at Wytschaete near Ypres.

#WW1 #FWW #Archaeology #History #WesternFront #FirstWorldWar #WorldWar1

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