Archaeologist reveals evidence of mass graves at Nazi death camp

Almost 70 years after the end of the Second World War a groundbreaking forensic archaeological study by the University of Birmingham has unearthed evidence of hidden burial sites at a former death camp where more than 800,000 Jews perished during the Holocaust. It was widely believed that evidence of the extermination camp at Treblinka, in north-east Poland, was destroyed by the Nazis upon its abandonment in August 1943, however, these new findings suggest otherwise, revealing the location of deep pits - potential graves - and structural remains that witness accounts locate as gas chambers. It is likely that the Nazis simply levelled the ground to disguise evidence of the camp's existence instead of completely removing all traces. Forensic archaeologist and research lead, Caroline Sturdy Colls, who's work at Treblinka is being followed in a forthcoming Radio 4 documentary, explains: "These initial findings indicate that we still have a great deal to learn about the history of Treblinka. Traces of the camp clearly do survive below the ground and the use of archaeological methods has revealed structures, pits and other subtle traces of the camp's existence and layout. Most importantly, these findings can contribute to our knowledge about the nature of Nazi persecution and the treatment of the victims sent there." Jewish Halacha law prohibits disturbance of human remains, necessitating the forensic archaeological team to employ geophysical survey methods in the first scientific examination of the death camp.