Soldiers’ Remains Unearthed in Poland

PRZEMYSL, POLAND—Archaeologists are recovering the remains of more than 3,000 Italian and Soviet prisoners who had been interned by the Nazis during World War II. The crew sorts the bones and bags the skulls. “It’s the only way to count the exact number of victims,” archaeologist Przemyslaw Kolosowski told the AFP. Most of the men died of hunger or disease. “Personal items are extremely rare. The Germans buried most of the soldiers without any clothes,” student Mariusz Dziekonski explained. They have found small Orthodox crosses, a toothbrush, a part of a Soviet-made comb, buttons, kopecks, and Italian and Soviet dog tags. The remains, found in eight of the mass graves near Stalag 327 in southeastern Poland, will be reburied in a new military cemetery. For more on similiar excavations, read "The Archaeology of World War II."