The memory of objects. The material legacy of conflict scenarios; the case of mass graves

Abstract

The finding of objects that are recovered during mass graves exhumations have a major value of great importance because of the belonging and sentimental charge of the object itself but also because of the data information that experts can extract from it and later on study. The objects are possibly the tangible evidence of humanity that accompanies the exhumed bone remains. This as such has what can be symbolically called the 'power' to explain the past in a present moment or to act as a nexus between past-present.

This article aims to lay the foundations for an analysis and reflection around the possibilities of using these material objects in a didactic way and framed within the heritage of memory and the archaeology of conflict. To do this, we want to focus attention on the case study of different didactic practices based on exhumations in mass graves of contemporary war conflicts, while focusing a first part on the graves of the civil war in Spain.

It will be analysed which uses can be effective nowadays to disseminate such knowledge to the general public and to the educational communities - from a professional, scientific but also didactic approach- a complex and delicate subject that is often controversial. What resources and strategies have been used and what new avenues of dissemination could be explored. It wants to emphasize on investigating what differences and similarities we can find in other heritage processes of memory and explore the practices done so far. What purpose has been taken from the recovered objects and if these practices can contribute to the recovery of historical memory and awareness of the impact that war conflicts have on a community.