Bioarchaeological investigation of WWI burials at Nowa Osuchowa, Poland

Abstract

During construction works in eastern Poland, the remains of 25 individuals were discovered. The site near Nowa Osuchowa was excavated in 2016 and after osteological and taphonomical analyses the remains were reburied. The remains were identified as members of the Prussian Army fighting in WWI. Radiographic imaging was employed to aide differential diagnosis of pathologies. Skeletal evidence of antemortem fractures, dislocation and infection was found. Several individuals showed evidence of perimortem fractures and high-velocity projectile trauma. Taphonomic analyses indicate that some of the individuals were buried at the location very soon after death, while others were likely already in more advanced stages of decomposition at the time of burial at the site.