Digging for their lives: Russia’s volunteer body hunters

Anyone of knows the story of the siege of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) knows that millions died. Soviet soldiers and residents of Leningrad, as well as German soldiers (the would be conquerors). It is an epic tragedy in an epic military battle.

This article isn’t about that. Its about the millions of soldiers that were left where they died. Never buried, families left wondering.

Reburying with dignity

Of the estimated 70 million people killed in World War Two, 26 million died on the Eastern front – and up to four million of them are still officially considered missing in action. But volunteers are now searching the former battlefields for the soldiers’ remains, determined to give them a proper burial – and a name.

The Black Death was airborne

Well, at least that’s what they are saying in this article from the Guardian newspaper.

According to Dr Tim Brooks, some recently unearthed skeletal remains support his theory.

Skull found in London from 14th century

Black death researchers extracted plague DNA from 14th century skulls found in east London. Photograph: Philip Toscano/PA

Seems like they can’t dig in London without unearthing something fascinating… In August of 2012 they were digging up a parking lot and found the bones of King Richard III!!

drawing of King Henry III

King Henry III