A multidisciplinary scientific investigation of the 1916 Hawthorn Mine Crater, Beaumont Hamel, Somme, Northern France

WISNIEWSKI, Kristopher, Doyle, Peter, Pringle, Jamie, Stimpson, Ian and SQUIRES, Kirsty (2024) A multidisciplinary scientific investigation of the 1916 Hawthorn Mine Crater, Beaumont Hamel, Somme, Northern France. Journal of Conflict Archaeology. ISSN 1574-0773

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Abstract or description

Hawthorn Crater is a prominent feature of the former Somme battle-field near Beaumont Hamel, Northern France. It resulted from the detonation of arguably the most famous of nine mines that the British had prepared below German lines on 1 July 1916, as part of the opening day of the Battle of the Somme. However, the crater has not been studied scientifically, as was in private land until recently taken over by the Hawthorn Crater Association. This paper documents three field seasons of multi-disciplinary site investigations. Methods included: remote sensing, drones, ground-based-LiDAR and surface surveys, geophysics and archaeological investigations. Magnetic anomalies were identified as: still-intact German fire pits, barbed wire and equipment, as the crater became the frontline after formation, and Allied shell craters. This study provided a rare opportunity to study a First World War mine crater, and highlighting modern science can assist detection and characterisation of significant archaeological sites.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	WW1; France; Hawthorn Crater; Somme; Beaumont Hamel; geophysics; archaeology
Faculty:	School of Law, Policing and Forensics > Forensic Sciences and Policing
Depositing User:	Kirsty SQUIRES
Date Deposited:	10 Jan 2024 13:59
Last Modified:	10 Jan 2024 13:59
URI:	https://eprints.staffs.ac.uk/id/eprint/8057

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