About the exhibition
"Archaeology of Crime – German Crimes in the Death Valley in Chojnice" is an exhibition that presents scientific works and investigations into the mass crimes that took place during World War II near Chojnice (Pomeranian Voivodeship). It is one of the results of the implementation of an international and multidisciplinary scientific project entitled "Archaeology of the Pomeranian Crime of 1939" at the Institute of Archaeology, University of Lodz.
The exhibition features 60 photos documenting 5 years of investigation conducted in the Death Valley, as reported by Dr Dawid Kobiałka from the Institute of Archaeology at the University of Lodz.
We should remember that there is no such thing as eternal oblivion and a perfect crime. This is demonstrated by the activities of the Institute of National Remembrance, the prosecutor's office and the archaeological research that was conducted in the Death Valley
– says Dr Dawid Kobiałka
In recent years, a team of scientists, working under the supervision of prosecutor Tomasz Jankowski from the Institute of National Remembrance in Gdańsk, have found the remains of approximately 700 Poles murdered near Chojnice. The discoveries constitute some of the most important archaeological works carried out in Poland and Europe in recent years. They also show the fundamental role of archaeology in the context of researching German mass crimes from World War II. The exhibition shows the scientific process – how these field studies were conducted and what discoveries they led to.
The exhibition can be seen from 3 April until the end of June 2025.
The project is financed by the National Science Centre under contract no. UMO-2021/43/D/HS3/00033.
The exhibition organisers include:
- University of Lodz
- Faculty of Philosophy and History, University of Lodz
- Institute of Archaeology, University of Lodz
- IPN Branch in Gdansk
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
TVP3 MATERIAL ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Information: Dr Dawid Kobiałka
Photos: Mateusz Kowalski (Faculty of Philosophy and History, University of Lodz)