Digging for Clues to War Crimes in Iraq

"Archaeologists for Human Rights" are currently occupied with the examination of mass graves in Iraq. Three founder members of the organisation, Ursula Janssen, Ulrike Löw and Sinje Stoyke, describe the work of the group

This project was initiated by archaeologists specialising in the Middle East, who have years of experience carrying out excavations in the region. Iraq – ancient Mesopotamia – is the starting point for our theoretical and practical research. For years, we have been dealing with Iraq's past on a daily basis. To many archaeologists working in this region, the wars being waged there have the significance of a personal tragedy.

First of all, one is shocked and helpless to see museums being plundered and graves robbed in the ancient archaeological sites. Then there is the specific worry about the well-being of one's colleagues and friends, and of their families. Our familiarity with the history of the Orient and our personal (often close) links to the people of what is now Syria and Iraq motivated us to form an NGO: "Archaeologists for Human Rights".

Our group works closely with the Iraqi initiative, "Genocide in Iraq, Missing Persons and Mass Graves Campaign", which is compiling a data base of missing persons and collaborating with us to plan a meticulous investigation of the mass graves. Systematic surveys will be carried out in each area, in order to acquire information on the location of particular mass graves and sites of crimes, and on the number of people reported missing or dead.

In addition, we hope to gather information that might help us to identify the victims (e.g. records of artificial limbs, dental treatment, clothing, jewellery, tattoos, etc.). The International Red Cross has already begun working on this task.

Shedding light on crimes against humanity

The aim of this project is to support our Iraqi colleagues in the professional investigation and documentation of the Saddam regime's brutal crimes. In addition, we wish to give families reliable information on the actual fate of their loved ones, and to facilitate decent burials for those who were murdered.

As Iraq comes to terms with its recent past – the most terrible chapter of which is reflected in the mass graves all over the country – we hope to make a contribution by offering our practical experience in the techniques of excavation, surveying, documentation and inventory. Alongside the task of preserving, protecting and restoring Iraq's cultural heritage, this project allows us archaeologists to provide a different kind of input to the reconstruction and democratisation of a country that has always formed the main focal point of our research.

At present, we are working with anthropologists from Ulm, Göttingen and Kiel to assemble educational material. We are also planning to build up a small specialist library of anthropological, forensic and archaeological literature.

Essentially, our task will be to set up a system of documentation, based on appropriate paradigms from the sphere of archaeology (calibration, photography, drawing and inventory of the objects excavated), as well as on methods of forensic anthropology (proper documentation and interpretation of skeletal remains). Should other organisations on location already be using a generally-accepted system of documentation, we shall mediate in an appropriate manner (both theoretically and practically).

The duration of our stay will depend essentially on our financial resources and on the security situation in Iraq. Our contacts there have already promised us their full support in all matters pertaining to infrastructure and security. Besides the three archaeologists, a photographer and two to three German anthropologists will also be taking part. We hope very much to be able to fly out in August (and certainly no later than September), in order to assess the conditions in Iraq and the prospects for our project's success.

Ursula Janßen, Ulrike Löw, Sinje Stoyke

For further information on "Archaeologists for Human Rights", please click here.