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Battlefield archaeology is not a new discipline in any way. It probably started out the very same day archaeology began to investigate the material reminiscence of the past. However, the term ‘battlefield archaeology’ can be misleading and easily misinterpreted. That is because if we use the term ‘battlefield archaeology’ we distance ourselves from the main priority of the battle, that being the studying of the place (i.e. field) where the battle took place, and reach the edges of history by focusing on the event (in the paper below, the authors comment on the terminology). With a mind on this it is preferred the use of the term ‘archaeology of battle’. You can find additional information in the introduction and the first chapter of the paper below.

‘Battlefield Archaeology – A Guide to the Archaeology of Conflict’ means an introduction in the subject and presents the steps taken by archaeologists in studying a battlefield.

The paper offers a decent amount of examples with images attached to the text for a more comprehensive guiding to the archaeology of conflict. However, if you prefer other examples as well, I suggest you take a look at the discoveries and digging methods used in the Teutobugn Forest. There the researchers try to puzzle together the disaster of the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD, where the Roman Empire lost three veteran legions and their commander. In fact, just a handful of soldiers survived to bring the news to Rome. The victory of the Germans meant the halt of Roman expansion beyond the Rhine.

Another great example worth pursuing is the famous ‘Custer’s last stand‘. For years archaeologists have dug in near region of the Little Bighorn river and with great success. Also, I believe Discovery Channel had a few documentaries about this and also you might be interested in viewing the Battlefield Detectives investigation into this matter.

Of course, through time humanity fought countless battles, thus we are not short of places to investigate. Anyway, those two examples mentioned above may represent also a guide to battlefield archaeology. The sites of the battles are relatively well known and research has proven to be fructuous.

‘Battlefield Archaeology – A Guide to Archaeology of Conflict” can be downloaded here (PDF).

General Leonard Mociulschi

More and more websites are created with a mind on presenting the Romanian military history to the world. In this matter, I recently discovered a website dedicated to General Mociulschi. The website offers detailed information about the general, his life before the Second World War and his work during as well as other personal information.

Leonard Mociulschi participated in three of the 20th century wars (2nd Balkan War, World War I and World War II), being decorated with more than 25 high awards. In the First World War he had received the French “Cross of War “ (Croix de Guerre) from the general Henri Mathias Berthelot, the commander-in-chief of the French Military Delegation in Romania, according to Brevet No. 834 from the 13th of November 1918. He also received the Order of the “Romanian Crown” (Coroana Romaniei) with swords in the rank of knight, for his “bravery and skills proven in the fights of 1916” (according to the Royal Decree No.1416 from the 13th of June 1917) as well as the Order of the “Star of Romania” in the rank of knight (Steaua Romaniei), received on the 6th of August 1919 (H.D. No.3323). The major Leonard Mociulschi that time was awarded with the “Honor Sign” (Semnul Onorific) by the High Royal Decree No.2292 from the 4th of July 1932, occasioned by his 25th anniversary in the service of the nation. Later on, in June 1945, he received the same distinction for his many decades of active service in the Romanian Army, too.

Visit www.general.mociulschi.ro for more information.