New survey work of ANZAC battlefield at Gallipoli about to start

Radio New Zealand

Friday 13 September 2013

Archaeologists and historians from New Zealand, Australia and Turkey are at Gallipoli to start work on the next stage of a survey of the ANZAC battlefield.

It’s the fourth field session at the site, with one more planned next year, before the centenary of Gallipoli in 2015.

In previous sessions, nearly eight thousand metres of Turkish and Anzac trenches have been traced and 800 artifacts discovered.

The survey uses non-invasive advanced mapping and GPS technology to record trench positions to within 30-centimetres.

A war historian from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, Ian McGibbon, says the work is strenuous because of the rugged terrain and hot temperatures, but it gives them an indication of what the soldiers faced nearly 100-years ago.

Dr McGibbon said they may also explore the Malone Terraces, created by Lieutenant-Colonel William Malone of the Wellington Battalion.

The final survey work will be carried out about this time next year. From it will come a book and an exhibition, both planned for 2015.

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