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University of Kassel remembers Napoleonic soldiers
Image: University of KasselThe more than 100 skeletons had been discovered by construction workers during excavation for the present Humanities building at Kurt-Wolters-Strasse 5. Historical investigations by the University of Kassel and anthropological studies by the Universities of Göttingen and Mainz later determined that the dead were most likely Napoleonic soldiers from the Benelux region. Presumably on the march back from the Battle of Leipzig, lost on October 19, 1813, they fell victim to a nervous fever in an auxiliary hospital and were given a makeshift burial.
The commemorative plaque has now been placed on the west side of the building near Kurt-Wolters-Strasse so that it is clearly visible to passersby. "Now that the origin of the skeletons has been clarified, we want to use this plaque to keep alive a piece of the history of our campus and thus also of Kassel's urban history," said Prof. Dr. Reiner Finkeldey, president of the university. In 2013/2014, the Natural History Museum in Kassel had also provided information about the find and the historical background in an exhibition. The remains of the dead are now in a communal grave in Kassel's main cemetery.
Almost simultaneously with the erection of the plaque, a book is being published that summarizes the results of historical research on the skeletal find. The volume, which was financially supported by the university, explains the historical background in a well-founded and clear manner.
Carina Kinz, "Forgotten Victims? Kassel Skeleton Finds and the History of the Napoleonic Wars," volume 14 of the "Intervals" series published by Kassel University Press.
Photos of the plaque (photo: University of Kassel) at:
http://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/fileadmin/datas/uni/presse/Gedenktafel_Uni_Kassel.jpg
http://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/fileadmin/datas/uni/presse/Gedenktafel_Uni_Kassel2_01.jpg
Contact:
Sebastian Mense
University of Kassel
Communications, Press and Public Relations
Tel.: +49 561 804-1961
E-mail: presse[at]uni-kassel[dot]de
Carina Kinz
University of Kassel
Department of Modern and Contemporary History
http://www.uni-kassel.de/fb05/fachgruppen/geschichte/neuere-und-neueste-geschichte/hilfskraefte-und-tutoren-innen.html