Breaking Bread with the Dead
Publication Date
January 1, 2001
Publication Type
Journal Article
Topic(s)
Conflict
Summary
The establishment of two international ad hoc tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, and the creation of an International Criminal Court within the next five years, has increased the need for archaeologists who can assist in the exhumation of individual and mass graves associated with war crimes and genocide throughout the world. This work examines the efforts of teams of archaeologists and forensic scientists which have investigated forced disappearances, political killings, and war crimes in Argentina, Guatemala, Iraqi Kurdistan, and the former Yugoslavia since 1984. As more archaeologists enter this growing field, it is becoming apparent that their training at the university and post-graduate level needs to be supplemented with courses that will better prepare them for international forensic work. Not only do they need to be trained in forensic methods and procedures, they also need to be knowledgeable of legal and evidentiary procedures and the political and cultural dynamics of the countries where they will be working.
Key Takeaways
- Archaeologists and forensic scientists have played a crucial role in investigating war crimes, genocides, and political killings across countries like Argentina, Guatemala, Iraqi Kurdistan, and the former Yugoslavia. This work often involves exhuming individual and mass graves to gather evidence against perpetrators of these crimes.
- There is a growing demand for interdisciplinary training in archaeology programs to prepare for international forensic work. Training should include forensic science, international law, and the cultural contexts of regions affected by conflict.
- The process of identifying the disappeared, often from mass graves, has been supported by advancements in forensic DNA technologies, such as mitochondrial DNA testing, which has been pivotal in identifying remains and challenging false narratives by perpetrators of violence.
- Forensic investigations not only serve as a means to achieve justice for victims of atrocities but also aid in healing and closure for families of the disappeared by providing physical evidence of their fate and helping to accurately document historical events for future generations.
- In societies affected by war crimes, exhumation and forensic investigation have empowered communities and human rights organizations to press for justice and historical truth, helping to close painful chapters in their history and ensure accountability for state-sponsored violence.
Q&As
Why has there been an increased need for archaeologists in the field of forensic investigations?
There has been an increased need due to the establishment of international tribunals and the anticipated creation of the International Criminal Court, which requires professionals to exhum grave sites associated with war crimes and genocide to gather physical evidence.
What historical event is noted as a precursor to the practice of making people 'disappear'?
The 'Nacht und Nebel' Decree ('Night and Fog' Decree) by the Nazis during World War II is noted as a precursor to making people disappear, a practice that involved arresting individuals under cover of night and making them vanish without a trace.
What is a significant outcome of forensic work in Argentina mentioned in the document?
A significant outcome is the creation of the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team, which pioneered the scientific investigation of clandestine graves. This team unearthed evidence that disproved claims by the Argentine military during the 'dirty war' and aided in identifying remains through DNA testing.
How have human rights investigations in Guatemala evolved according to the document?
Initially plagued by inadequate forensic practices, Guatemala saw improvements with the establishment of the Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Team in 1991. This team used archaeological methods to provide evidence and identification of the victims of disappearances and massacres.
What kind of international response was prompted by the Anfal campaign in Iraqi Kurdistan?
The Anfal campaign prompted international human rights organizations to investigate apparent mass graves and potential genocidal acts committed by Iraqi forces against the Kurds. Although the United Nations did not dispatch investigators immediately, human rights groups organized forensic teams to collect evidence.
Suggested Citation
Stover, E., & Ryan, M. (2001)
Breaking Bread with the Dead.
Human Rights Center, UC Berkeley. https://humanrights.berkeley.edu/publications/breaking-bread-dead/
