Discovery of a mass grave from the Spanish Civil War using GPR and forensic archaeology

Fernández-Álvarez, José-Paulino; Rubio-Melendi, David; Martínez-Velasco, Antxoka; Pringle, Jamie K.; Aguilera, Hector-David

Abstract

An estimated 500,000 people died from all causes during the Spanish Civil War between 1936 and 1939, with a further 135,000 killed after the war ended. There are currently over 2,000 known mass burial locations throughout Spain but many more are unknown. This study details the successful search for an unmarked mass grave in mountainous terrain in the Asturias region of Northern Spain. Two approximate locations were known due to eyewitness accounts. A phased site investigation approach was undertaken, which included ground penetrating radar. Results showed a clear geophysical anomaly on 2D GPR profiles. The identified area was subsequently intrusively investigated by forensic archaeologists and human remains were successfully discovered. Careful and sensitive investigations are essential in these approaches where living relatives are involved.

Citation

Fernández-Álvarez, J., Rubio-Melendi, D., Martínez-Velasco, A., Pringle, J. K., & Aguilera, H. (2016). Discovery of a mass grave from the Spanish Civil War using GPR and forensic archaeology. Forensic Science International, 267, e10-e17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.05.040

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 28, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Jun 14, 2016
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Journal: Forensic Science International
• Print ISSN: 0379-0738
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 267
• Pages: e10-e17
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.05.040
• Keywords: Spanish Civil War, forensic science, forensic geophysics, GPR, forensic archaeology
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.05.040