Thanks to Ilya, we had the opportunity to meet Prof. Dr. Philip Reeder, a geologist from the USA who is conducting research in Latvia, among other places, to investigate and document Holocaust mass grave sites through earth examination and forensic analysis.
At Jungfernhof, a former agricultural farm converted into a camp for Jews, Prof. Reeder, his research team, and other collaborators suspect the presence of a mass grave, which they aim to uncover in order to establish a memorial at the site.
It was very interesting to listen to the professor and Ilya discuss their research and methodology. When they were unable to locate the mass grave, likely because it lies beneath private property, they shifted their focus to reconstructing the farm’s buildings and identifying at least the locations of the barracks.
It was very insightful to observe such a process while it is still in development. Listening to the various ideas for the memorial and witnessing how perspectives evolve and decisions are made was truly engaging. After visiting so many historical sites, it was especially inspiring to see that work on Holocaust remembrance is still ongoing.
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