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Dirk Spenneman specializes in this in Australia and has answered this specific question, but he will be able to answer more general questions when he gets back from fieldwork in Micronesia. Annie ---------- From: Dirk HR Spennemann <[log in to unmask]> Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2007 01:39:54 +1000 To: Anne Bickford <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: WWII archaeology query Thanks Anne..sorry for delay, was in Micronesia and my laptop isdying on me...can you post for me? No caves on Wake or Kwajalein....coral atolls. general WWII heritage work has been done on Kwaj and other locales in Micronesia, all sanctioned by the relevant historic preservation offices..some work on caves in Guam and Palau, but very very limited due to war grave status and because they are such potential treasure troves of achaeological infrmation..but also because many were booby trapped by the Japanese during WWII and due the excellent prservation conditions in the caves these booby traps are very much alive and eminently dangerous. The Japanese have been mounting human remains recovery missions in Micronesia with consent by the historic preservation offices and I understand they have been opening caves on Iwo Jima (their jurisdiction).. dirk On 6 Sep 2007, at 10:34, Anne Bickford wrote: Dirk, I think you will be able to reply to this with some info. Regards, Annie ---------- From: "COCROFT, Wayne" <[log in to unmask]> Reply-To: "COCROFT, Wayne" <[log in to unmask]> Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2007 15:25:53 +0100 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: WWII archaeology query Archaeological work has been carried out at Kwajalein Atoll, Corregidor and Wake Islands by Carl Kuttruff and Gregory L Fox, and perhaps at more locations? The Japanese also mount expeditions (private I think) to recover human remains for repatriation. I have heard (perhaps apocryphal) stories of remote and off limits complexes in central Europe with remains of their last defenders. WDC -----Original Message----- From: Discussion List for Contemporary and Historical Archaeology [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of James Dixon Sent: 05 September 2007 14:11 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: WWII archaeology query Dear list members, While idly flicking around cable channels last night I came across a tribute to Steve Irwin (the crocodile hunter). It showed two clips from a two-part mini-series of his (date unknown) called 'Ghosts of War' in which he travelled to various sites in the Pacific and talked about what troops there went through. One clip in particular almost knocked me off my chair. Armed with a camera crew and head-lamp, Irwin entered Japanese tunnels on Guadalcanal. These tunnels were littered with various WWII period items in varying states of decay and, more interestingly/disturbingly large amounts of human bone. It really was amazing, whole long bones, skulls etc. Two questions really. Does anyone have the full show on tape or DVD? Are these sites known to archaeologists? I assume the tunnels have been closed (as a war-grave) but there he was wandering around picking up bones etc. I was astounded, does anyone know anything?? Jim D. ============================================================== Embracing HeritageFutures‹ the research into theory and practice of strategic cultural heritage management ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A/Professor Dirk H.R. Spennemann, M.A., Ph.D., APF, J.P. Discipline Head for Cultural Heritage Studies School of Environmental Sciences Charles Sturt University P.O.Box 789 Albury NSW 2640 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61-2-6051 9947 Fax: +61-2-6051 9897 E-mail: [log in to unmask] http://csusap.csu.edu.au/~dspennem -------------------------- contemp-hist-arch is a list for news and events in contemporary and historical archaeology, and for announcements relating to the CHAT conference group. ------- For email subscription options see: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/archives/contemp-hist-arch.html ------- For CHAT meetings see: http://www.bris.ac.uk/archanth/events/chat.html --------------------------