During 1916, Verdun bore witness to one of the most ferocious battles of the 20th century, and understanding the events that played out there is pivotal in grasping the ambiguous nature of the First World War. But Verdun is much more than just a battlefield. It is a multi-layered landscape that expresses modern conflict, remembrance, and industrial warfare in its starkest terms. Today, the archaeological remains of the battle tell the story of the Great War in microcosm. Vast cemeteries, shattered landscapes, unique memorials and destroyed villages all narrate what it was like to participate in the first industrial conflict to sweep the globe.

This presentation will analyse what the multi-vocal landscape of the area can tell us about the nature of the battle, and the conflict as a whole. It will also explore why the experience of Verdun is so deeply ingrained in the French psyche - even more so than the Battle of the Somme is to the British.

Matthew Leonard B.A, ...