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Posted: 12/14/2017 6:24:40 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Cypher15]
Updates of the dig itself will be in reverse chronological order:
Today was the last day of the dig. 130+ soldiers found, thousands of artifacts, and the uncovering of a major part of the history of the Western Front. It will now be filled back in and turned into housing.  Al Murray talks about Dig Hill 80  Simon calls the site "The Pompeii of the First World War.
Week 7: We never had cool field trips like this:
 German Bunker Fortification! - DigHill 80 The crew has been finding more bodies than expected. The current total is 91. Thing is its stretching their resources and need more donations. HALF WAY MARK: Week 6: This week has been challenging as it seems someone upstairs wanted them to experience the muddy hell that was Passchendaele. It rained.. a lot. Once it stopped and dried out a touch they got back to it. Right now they are excavating a mass grave so expect the count of 80 to rise quite a lot. Week 5: New cellar: Digging of the actual trenches has begun. Updated map: 
Olive: trenches. Gray: shell craters. Red: walls.
Week 4:
Honor guard placed a wreath: Today was eventful for them:
End Week 2:
End Day 9: That moment that we all knew would come but we've all been a bit nervous about. They have found 40 bodies since digging began. They are following all the guidelines for such a thing. [tweet]https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/989614204045971456[/tweet]End Day 8:
End Day 7: http://hill80.com/hill-80-dig-diary-24-april/ 
They say that all paths lead to Rome We are not too sure about that statement but we are pretty confident that most trenches on Hill80 seem to lead to the mill building. A highly interesting discovery that underlines the importance of the building within the defensive structure and one that sparks the imagination about what we might find hidden below the mill. End Day 6: http://hill80.com/hill-80-dig-diary-23-april/ 
This Monday the first volunteers and backers arrived to commence work on the site. And not only that! We again made a great discovery, one of the things we initially hoped to find; a connection between a trench and one of the buildings. Further investigation will, most likely, teach us more about how extactly this was done A good start into what will be a another exciting week. End Week One: 
[tweet]https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/987349019365126144[/tweet] 
End Day 5: Today we continued to follow the course of the enormous "Schweinlesteig" with its many traverses while late we discovered the water pond that once supplied the steam powered mill it seems to be filled with an enormous amount of debris which will make for some interesting digging. Small finds include a water tank for a German 08/15 machine gun, a large amount of German 7,92mm rifle cartridges and our second Bavarian belt buckle. 
http://hill80.com/hill-80-dig-diary-20-april/ End Day 4: A day of fantastic progress and more great discoveries has passed. Highlights being the discovery of number of precisely datable objects that link directly into the fighting for the possession for the hill in the first week of November 1914. We also uncovered the first traverses and a section of the enormous "Schweinlesteig", one of the very deep and substantial fighting trenches that once secured Wijtschaete from Allied attack. 
http://hill80.com/hill-80-dig-diary-19-april/ End Day 3 A very special day lies behind us, about which we will publish further details in our VIRTUAL DIG TEAM in due time. Two communication trenches, one of them heavily damaged by artillery fire, were discovered right next to a location heavily cratered by shell fire in 1917/18. Small finds include Bavarian Army buttons and the obligatory shell. 
http://hill80.com/hill-80-dig-diary-18-april/ End Day 2 Another great day in sunny Flanders Fields is over. Work on the structures of the mill/farm buildings continued with more great results. The vaulted roof of an underground structure leaves room for exciting speculations and Gernot, our Austrian EOD expert, had a fun day with an assortment of artillery shells of various calibres. Small finds included pieces of German 'Ledermaske' (M17 gas mask) and bits and pieces of ammunition and hand grenades. 
End Day One Foundation of French farm and evidence of shell impact Our first day in the field has ended and what an exciting day it was. On the southern edge of the field we managed to locate the foundations of a farm building which once formed part of the mill complex. Within the remains of the outer walls we found parts of the original floor which bore the unmistakable marks of a shell impact. Small finds were also made aplenty and apart from some rifle cartridges and parts of a German mess tin we also located lots of domestic items like plates, cutlery and cups. In the coming days we'll go down deeper, further exposing the walls and the surrounding area. Exciting days lie ahead! 
https://vimeo.com/243023666  Dig Hill 80 Fundraiser Update: Getting Close, But Not There Yet this video was put out before the end of the kickstarter and before they went past the goals. Not only will we learn more about the trench systems and day to day life of the soldiers but those found will finally be put to rest. Update 1: Pics and stuff from http://hill80.com/ 
British Aerial Recon of same area: 
German Aerial Recon (the area changed hands a couple times): 
More Brit Aerial Recon: 
The town of Whitsheet before and after the war visited it: 
Update 2: 
 Update 3: 
Update 4: Daily Mail has picked it up 
Update 5: Update 6: Update 7:
End |
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Posted: 12/14/2017 6:34:22 PM EDT
[#1]
Tag for later.
Very cool project. |
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FRA
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Posted: 12/14/2017 6:39:42 PM EDT
[#2]
A French archaelogist (and WWI/WWII militaria collector) just asked to be a part of the team.
Thanks to arfcom and Forgotten weapons for introducing him to this project 
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Posted: 12/14/2017 6:57:48 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By dewoitine:
A French archaelogist (and WWI/WWII militaria collector) just asked to be a part of the team. Thanks to arfcom and Forgotten weapons for introducing him to this project 
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Posted: 12/14/2017 7:01:13 PM EDT
[#4]
relevant to my interests, OST
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Posted: 12/14/2017 7:07:49 PM EDT
[#5]
OST
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Posted: 12/14/2017 7:09:07 PM EDT
[#6]
Very fucking cool.
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Posted: 12/14/2017 7:10:28 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By dewoitine:
A French archaelogist (and WWI/WWII militaria collector) just asked to be a part of the team. Thanks to arfcom and Forgotten weapons for introducing him to this project 
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Posted: 12/14/2017 7:13:40 PM EDT
[#8]
OST
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Posted: 12/14/2017 7:15:01 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By scarecrow31:
Tag for later. Very cool project. It also sounds like a great way to find some UXO. denzelboom.jpg |
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FRA
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Posted: 12/14/2017 7:18:00 PM EDT
[Last Edit: dewoitine]
[#10]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Matidas:
I expect a regularly updated progress thread with pics |
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Posted: 12/14/2017 7:20:47 PM EDT
[#11]
Tag. This is pretty cool.
I wonder what the UXO is like there. |
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Posted: 12/14/2017 7:21:42 PM EDT
[#12]
Awesome.
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Posted: 12/14/2017 7:27:33 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By dewoitine: I would be honored to do so but I'm very late to the party and the team is probably already full. My only advantage is that I'm trained both as a digger and as a specialist of the post-dig studies and that I'm willing to work 1 month as a volounteer (that kind of digs are usually not paid). Fingers crossed. Do you guys over there need certs to work as field crew? Over here in the U.S. we get all sorts working on crews. Who's the PI or lead on this? I'd kinda like to see what's happening, hopefully there'll be something in JCA eventually. |
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Posted: 12/14/2017 7:28:05 PM EDT
[#14]
Dilly Dilly
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Posted: 12/14/2017 7:28:38 PM EDT
[#15]
Cool
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Posted: 12/14/2017 7:30:37 PM EDT
[#16]
Pretty interesting. Tagged
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FRA
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Posted: 12/14/2017 7:47:36 PM EDT
[Last Edit: dewoitine]
[#17]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By czechsix:
Interesting, maybe you can be backup, or fill in for those that need a break. Do you specialize in industrial/historic? Do you guys over there need certs to work as field crew? Over here in the U.S. we get all sorts working on crews. Who's the PI or lead on this? I'd kinda like to see what's happening, hopefully there'll be something in JCA eventually. And as a collector, I know most of the stuff that will be encountered on the dig. In France you need at least a Master degree in Archaeology for even the lowest job as a digger (excepting for the heavy equipment operators) but in some countries like Spain or the UK, only the lead and his staff are archeologists and they are hiring regular construction trade laborers. Here the lead is this guy: https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/451007212/about I don't know him but his resume is solid. |
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Posted: 12/14/2017 8:41:36 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By dewoitine: Yup that's what I'm hopping for. I'm specialized in the Roman era with quite a bit of experience in the Medieval and Celtic era but I'm also a member of an association for the study of the contemporary field. And as a collector, I know most of the stuff that will be encountered on the dig. In France you need at least a Master degree in Archaeology for even the lowest job as a digger (excepting for the heavy equipment operators) but in some countries like Spain or the UK, only the lead and his staff are archeologists and they are hiring regular construction trade laborers. Here the lead is this guy: https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/451007212/about I don't know him but his resume is solid. Most of my experience is CRM, but I'm starting to head back into conflict arch too. PI's resume does seem good, I have high hopes this'll be a success! |
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Posted: 12/15/2017 4:56:50 AM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By sherm8404: Agreed. It also sounds like a great way to find some UXO. denzelboom.jpg Ill try to keep this thread updated as we go. Hopefully I can keep it from being archived. |
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Posted: 12/15/2017 4:59:04 AM EDT
[#20]
Interesting anna bump...
. |
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Posted: 12/15/2017 5:02:02 AM EDT
[#21]
I've been following it since Ian made his first video. Hopefully it will be well documented as it goes along for us to follow along with.
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Posted: 12/15/2017 9:53:50 AM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Cypher15:
Part of the cost is to pay for EOD. Ill try to keep this thread updated as we go. Hopefully I can keep it from being archived. Free BTT/keep out of archives post.
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Posted: 12/15/2017 5:52:01 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Merlin:
Where's Ian's "We did it!" video? Free BTT/keep out of archives post.
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Posted: 12/15/2017 5:57:58 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By dewoitine:
I would be honored to do so but I'm very late to the party and the team is probably already full. My only advantage is that I'm trained both as a digger and as a specialist of the post-dig studies and that I'm willing to work 1 month as a volounteer (that kind of digs are usually not paid). Fingers crossed. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By dewoitine:
Originally Posted By Matidas:
I expect a regularly updated progress thread with pics
Post every 30 minutes or so. |
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Posted: 12/15/2017 6:05:15 PM EDT
[#25]
a quick non-update update in the OP
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Posted: 12/15/2017 6:09:14 PM EDT
[#26]
@dewoitine
It is looking like they will be setting up a paypal and may be coming up with a pay to play for those that would like to join the dig in a greater capacity if they dont hire you on. Also, clear out your inbox..lol. |
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Posted: 12/15/2017 6:35:49 PM EDT
[#27]
Now that is a really cool project. So happy that it will be funded.
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Posted: 12/15/2017 6:44:23 PM EDT
[#28]
Man, my son and I just watched a show on Nova about this area last night. It was pretty cool. They found a little stash of potato mashers also. Can't imagine dealing with the gas attacks.
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Posted: 12/15/2017 6:45:15 PM EDT
[#29]
@dewoitine
@czechsix You guys hear about the failed archaeologist? His career was in ruins. 
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Posted: 12/16/2017 12:05:27 AM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By redoubt:
@dewoitine @czechsix You guys hear about the failed archaeologist? His career was in ruins.
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Posted: 12/16/2017 12:17:04 AM EDT
[#31]
@sjuhockey10
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Posted: 12/16/2017 8:37:25 AM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Cypher15:
Ill try to keep this thread updated as we go. Hopefully I can keep it from being archived. 
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FRA
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Posted: 12/16/2017 8:43:29 AM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Cypher15:
@dewoitine It is looking like they will be setting up a paypal and may be coming up with a pay to play for those that would like to join the dig in a greater capacity if they dont hire you on. Also, clear out your inbox..lol. . It should be good now.
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FRA
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Posted: 12/16/2017 8:46:20 AM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By czechsix:
I'm not drunk enough, yet, to give you a proper thrashing. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By czechsix:
Originally Posted By redoubt:
@dewoitine @czechsix You guys hear about the failed archaeologist? His career was in ruins.
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FRA
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Posted: 12/16/2017 8:50:35 AM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By czechsix:
Nice. Bit different over here, undergrads can still get field jobs as shovelbums, but we normally don't see folks with no experience. It varies state by state though. Most of my experience is CRM, but I'm starting to head back into conflict arch too. PI's resume does seem good, I have high hopes this'll be a success! |
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Posted: 12/16/2017 9:15:24 AM EDT
[#36]
Where is this?
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FRA
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Posted: 12/16/2017 10:15:18 AM EDT
[#37]
Damn, 4 posts in a row, I can do the post-whore dance. But I wanted to add that I'm now officially in touch with Simon to be a part of the team
 .
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Posted: 12/16/2017 1:07:17 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By dewoitine: I didn't want to hijack the thread but how is the current state of affair for the archaeology in the US? Here it's an epic fail since at least 3 years and I'm looking for another job. |
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Posted: 12/17/2017 12:09:53 AM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 30Caliber:
Where is this? |
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Posted: 12/17/2017 6:32:06 PM EDT
[#40]
bump of the day
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Posted: 12/17/2017 6:56:43 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By dewoitine:
Damn, 4 posts in a row, I can do the post-whore dance. But I wanted to add that I'm now officially in touch with Simon to be a part of the team . |
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Posted: 12/18/2017 9:49:32 PM EDT
[#42]
So we'll have an Arfcomer on the dig?
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Posted: 12/22/2017 4:08:05 PM EDT
[#43]
bumpidy
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Posted: 12/22/2017 4:14:13 PM EDT
[#44]
Interesting.
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Posted: 12/27/2017 10:16:16 AM EDT
[#45]
Bump for updates.
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Posted: 12/27/2017 10:31:18 AM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By IH1026:
Bump for updates. |
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Posted: 12/27/2017 10:37:14 AM EDT
[#47]
Very interesting!!!
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Posted: 12/27/2017 11:08:59 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Harmonic_Distortion]
[#48]
I'm looking at going
EDIT: Wife says it sounds like a go, have to arrange childcare for the duration of the trip. |
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Posted: 12/27/2017 12:20:51 PM EDT
[Last Edit: RTUtah]
[#49]
So did they reach their financial goal? This looks incredibly interesting and needs to happen for the sake of history.
ETA: Awesome! It's gonna happen. |
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Posted: 12/27/2017 12:33:53 PM EDT
[#50]
That is great the funding was a success.
Looking at those recon photos and the google earth one, I can't help but think it is wild that someone has a house with a back yard that had a WWI trench running through it. 20 feet away from where your kids are running around and you are grilling some steaks for supper, men were fighting and dying 100 years ago. |
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