Discovered relics and their interpretation
The most complicated archaeological situation was observed in the area connecting former barracks 7 and 8 of the inner courtyard, around the excavations located at the northern wall of barrack number 7 and the southern wall of barrack number 8. The excavation pits along the barracks revealed several utility levels from the camp times, reflecting changes in the function of the barracks.
The oldest unveiled objects are brick pavements running parallel to the walls of the barracks, enclosed on both sides by brick structures - probably gutters collecting water. The pavements were most likely built shortly after the construction of the barracks when they functioned as independent residential buildings with exits in the northern wall of each of the buildings.
The transformation of the barracks from a residential to a hospital facility is visible in the area of the courtyard, in the form of changes in the arrangement of the communication routes, as well as the construction of three additional buildings within it. First of all, the gutters were filled with brick rubble surrounding the first pavements. A building was erected on the existing objects (gutters, pavements) connecting both barracks located at the western fence of the courtyard and two small buildings by the eastern fence. The layout of the pavements was also changed, providing free movement in the courtyard and access to each of the buildings. The previous pavements were not removed - subsequent ones were arranged above, resulting in the elevation of the area. The building located on the western side of the courtyard probably served as a septic tank, as evidenced by previously exposed concrete structures. The functions of the buildings on the eastern side are unknown to date. Their remains survived in the form of concrete floors set on shallow brick foundations. The courtyard functioned in this form for several months. All three buildings are visible in the aerial photograph from August 1944. In the photograph from 1944, only the fence is visible. The buildings had to be demolished at the time, which perhaps may have been related to another change in the function of the barracks - the hospital was closed down, and the barrack once again served as a residential building for camp prisoners. During this period, subsequent brick gutters appeared at the courtyard along the walls of the barracks, just below the eaves line aimed at collecting water from the roof and draining it from the area of the courtyard. In places where they could have collided with the buildings in the courtyard, they were placed directly on the remains (floors, foundations) of non-existent buildings, which is clearly defined by their chronology. A deposit of destroyed movable monuments, probably from the period of the demolition, was found in the remains of the building on the western wing. The newly-discovered objects are most probably personal belongings of prisoners who lived in the barracks. The objects bear traces of mechanical damage and exposure to high temperatures, most likely caused by the Germans’ attempts to destroy unnecessary items, while the camp was still in operation.
Archaeological research also provided proof of attempts undertaken to save humanity in spite of the inhumane living conditions. Relics were discovered in the area of the former courtyard, probably related to the cultivation of plants (ornamental?). The remains of a round stone flower bed was discovered at barrack number 7, in which flowers or a “small garden” may have been cultivated. Two brick objects arranged in the shape of pentagons resembling flower pots were also discovered at barrack number 8.
Archaeological monuments as source materials in the historical research of former barracks 7 and 8
A huge number of movable monuments were excavated during the archaeological research. By the end of 2017, nearly 5,000 movable objects had been extracted, of which over 1,000 objects with exhibition value were identified. These are, to a large extent, bulk finds. The greater part of these items are everyday objects belonging to prisoners incarcerated in the camp.
The first level of archaeological relics unveiled in the research excavation at the northern wall of barrack B-124.
Pic. S. Foks