Recently, there has been a growing interest in battlefield archaeology and anthropology, partly inspired by the centenary of WWI combined with the growth of the fields themselves. Forensic archaeology has much to offer in the location and recovery of battlefield sites, while forensic anthropology has been used by researchers to gain amazing results when it comes to identification of remains. This presentation, presented by the Military History Society of NSW and delivered by Dr Denise Donlon, will illustrate some of the methods employed by archaeologists and anthropologists using the battlefield sites of Towton (War of the Roses), Fromelles in France (WWI) and a site from the Vietnam War.
Dr Denise Donlon is curator of the Shellshear Museum of Physical Anthropology and a senior lecturer in the Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, University of Sydney. Her research interests include forensic anthropology and taphonomy of the Sydney region, dental and postcranial skeletal variation. She is a consultant to the NSW Department of Forensic Medicine and a Wing Commander in the RAAF Specialist Reserves where her role is in the recovery and identification of Australian war dead. She has been involved in the recovery and/or identification of remains in Europe (Fromelles, Pozieres), Christmas Island (Unknown Sailor HMAS Sydney II), PNG (Oro Province, Kokoda, Wee Wak), East Timor (Atsabe), Indonesia (Kalimantan and Nias), Malaysia (Parit Sulong) and Vietnam (Minh Dam Mountains, Nui Gang Toi, Xuen Doung Commune).
When: Saturday 8 July 2017, 2:00-3:00pm.
Where: Anzac Room, Level 2, York Function Centre, 99 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000.
Cost: Free – Bookings essential. Please RSVP by Wednesday 5 July to rsvp@militaryhistorynsw.com.au
Contact: 0418 671 582
Image: A skull from the Towton battle site showing a large blade wound across the face, (From Fiorato et al 2007 Blood Red Roses), courtesy Military History Society of NSW.