Archaeology
Co-pilot’s dog tag found at wreck site of WWII B-17 Flying Fortress
Archaeologists excavating the crash site of the B-17 “Little Boy Blue” have recovered a dog tag belonging to USAAF Co-Pilot Aaron Brinkoeter.
During WWII, the United States Army Air Force played a critical role in conducting strategic bombing raids in the European Theatre of Operations. Among the aircraft used was the B-17 Flying Fortress, a four-engined heavy bomber known for its long range and firepower.
In the English county of Suffolk, 32 airfields hosted American squadrons, including the B-17 “Little Boy Blue”, crewed by Aaron Brinkoeter, Hal Hagerty, James Bennett, John McCluskey, Leo Ramos, Walter Malaniak, William Klemm, Ronald Grey, Norris Thomas, and Amos Force.
On the 19th July 1944, “Little Boy Blue” collided mid-air with another aircraft on a bombing route to Schweinfurt, and crashed just outside Thurston, near Bury St Edmunds.
Tragically, one crewman fell from the fuselage without his parachute, while four others were recovered from the wreckage. The explosion on impact left Pilot Walter Malaniak (age 26), Co-Pilot Aaron Brinkoeter (age 24), and Radio Operator Ronald Grey (age 27) unaccounted for, denying their families closure and the opportunity for formal funerals.
Image Credit : Cotswold Archaeology
As part of a project commissioned by the US Department of Defense’s DPAA department – Cotswold Archaeology, in collaboration with Operation Nightingale, serving US military personnel, Cranfield University’s CRICC team, and the Suffolk Archaeology Field Group, conducted an investigation of the crash site aimed at finding and repatriating the remains of the three MIA crew members.
“Employing systematic geophysical surveys, fieldwalking, test-pitting, and metal detecting, the team meticulously mapped the debris field to locate aircraft wreckage, personal effects, and any potential remains,” said Cotswold Archaeology.
On the 12th September 2024, the birthday of Co-Pilot Aaron Brinkoeter, a metal detector survey recovered Aaron’s missing dog tag, inscribed: BRINKOETER AARON T-2092 T43 43. “This moving discovery provided a tangible connection to the lost airman that will stay with us all for some time to come,” added Cotswold Archaeology.
A memorial service, led by the Bishop of Dunwich, Rt Rev Dr. Mike Harrison, was held at the crash site to honour all ten crewmen and unveil a permanent memorial. In attendance were 30 family members of the aircrew who were presented with B-17 pins, crafted from the wreckage of the aircraft.
The recovery is the subject of an upcoming feature episode of Time Team.
Header Image Credit : Cotswold Archaeology
Sources : Cotswold Archaeology
This content was originally published on www.heritagedaily.com – © 2023 – HeritageDaily
Archaeologists are excavating a fortified settlement associated with the Linear Pottery Culture at Eilsleben in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
The Linear Pottery Culture (LBK) is a major archaeological horizon of the European Neolithic period from 5500 to 4500 BC.
The site at Eilsleben was first identified during the 1920’s, revealing one of Central Europe’s largest Neolithic settlements.
Excavations conducted from 1974 to 1989 unearthed the remnants of ancient homes, numerous burials, and pits likely used for ritualistic human and animal sacrifices.
The settlement phases of the site can be divided into two distinct periods.
The earliest phase features north-south oriented dwellings, as well as remnants of a defensive trench measuring up to 3 metres in width. In the later phase, a central spring was fortified with a rampart, palisade and ditch, with further structural changes to form a giant trapezoidal structure.
Archaeologists from the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology (LDA) Saxony-Anhalt recently excavated a 200-square-metre area to carry out a sediment analysis, along with micromorphological and phytolith studies.
Using these modern scientific methods, the researchers hope to understand the site formation, as well as the levels of occupational activity within the wider settlement area.
Excavations also found extensive find material, consisting of pottery vessel fragments, stone implements (e.g., blades, arrowheads, axes) and bone and antler objects.
According to the archaeologists, the find material is providing deeper insights into the interactions between the region’s earliest farmers in the fertile Magdeburg Börde and the contemporary hunter-gatherer societies.
The LDA said: “The excavations are already showing that the Neolithic settlement remains are surprisingly well preserved. The excavators found post holes of houses as well as the remains of wattle and daub house walls. The concentrations of finds are enabling conclusions to be drawn about the use of the spaces within the settlement.”
Header Image Credit : LDA
Sources : State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology (LDA) Saxony-Anhalt
This content was originally published on www.heritagedaily.com – © 2023 – HeritageDaily
Archaeologists from the APSARA National Authority have uncovered a guardian statue at the Banteay Prey Nokor temple complex in Kompong Cham, Cambodia.
Known locally as the temple of “Wat Nokor in Khum of Kompong Siem”, or “Wat Angkor”, Banteay Prey Nokor was constructed during the reign of Jayavarman VII (AD 1181–1218), the first king devoted to Buddhism in the Khmer Empire.
The complex covers an area of 37 acres and consists of a central tower surrounded by four laterite wall enclosures made from sandstone and laterite.
In addition to being the largest ancient temple complex in Kampong Cham Province, it has several distinguishing features. One of the most notable is its construction from black sandstone, which sets it apart from other temples of the period, typically built from brick or reddish sandstone.
Image Credit : Phouk Chea / Chea Sarith
Archaeologists from the Department of Preservation and Archaeology at the APSARA Authority recently excavated one of the gateways of Banteay Prey Nokor, clearing away layers of rubble from the collapsed upper structure.
Upon removing the rubble material, a guardian door statue was uncovered to the right of the eastern entrance to the gateway. The statue is broken into six pieces – breaking at the neck, the left forearm, the waist, and below the knees of both legs.
According to the researchers, the statue, which originally stood at a height of around 1.6 metres, is of the Bayon style, in reference to the Bayon state temple of Jayavarman VII at the centre of Jayavarman’s capital, Angkor Thom.
“The sandstone gate guardian will now be stored at the Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum,” Angkor Wat’s heritage police said in a statement. “It will be preserved and studied further.”
Header Image Credit : Phouk Chea / Chea Sarith
Sources : APSARA National Authority
This content was originally published on www.heritagedaily.com – © 2023 – HeritageDaily
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