Jeremy Banning writes: in January 2011 a team of military historians commenced a long-term study of a unique piece of First World War battleground. Bordering the village of La Boisselle at the heart of the Somme battlefield the sector was known to the British troops as the ‘Glory Hole'. The site has remained almost untouched since 1918, and archaeology will reveal evidence of French, British and German occupation spanning the evolution of trench warfare. The ground was also extensively undermined, and with the assistance of the Royal Engineers, it is planned to explore, survey and record one of most important and labyrinthine tunnel systems on the Western Front.
Working alongside landowners, archaeologists, local and regional authorities, museums, archives and international partners, the project has two objectives. Firstly to ensure the long-term preservation of the historic landscape for the benefit of future generations. Secondly, to produce the most complete and multi-faceted examination of a Western Front battlefield sector ever undertaken.
For further details please see our website:http://www.laboisselleproject.com
Please see this artcle on the BBC website.
Image courtesy La Boiselle Project website.
