Modern Conflict Archaeology and the First World War

Over recent years, there has been an explosion of interest in the multidisciplinary archaeology and anthropology of modern conflict. Yet whilst students from a variety of backgrounds are increasingly inspired by an anthropological approach to this new type of archaeology whose subject matter has shaped the modern world, few books have actively addressed the subject from this perspective. As such, this volume provides both a welcome overview of the opportunities afforded scholars by the integration of anthropology and history, as well as a specific investigation into how such an approach can reinvigorate our understanding of the First World War. Gathering together twelve discipline-defining journal articles and chapters published by Nicholas Saunders since 2000, together with two entirely new chapters and a substantial introduction and conclusion, the volume demonstrates the huge potential of an anthropological approach to the archaeology of 20th and 21st century conflict through the lens of the First World War. From trench art to aerial photography, spirituality to the material culture of landscapes, the book draws upon a rich variety of topics and approaches often overlooked by traditional histories, but which can tell us much about the conduct and legacy of modern conflict.