Investigation of Mass Graves from the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 near Hradec Králové

Abstract

The most important battles of the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 took place on the battlefields in today’s Czech Republic. The war was significant for the formation of present-day Europe and ranks among the largest conflicts of the 19th century in terms of its extent. Many modern elements were used in combat during the war, but soldiers fighting in battles often died without help on the battlefields and were also buried there. Today, their graves are marked by more than a thousand monuments. Many unmarked graves are at risk due to the construction of local roads, but they are being rescued and archaeologically examined. In 2024, the route of one of the motorways leading through the territory of East Bohemia was archaeologically investigated, thanks to which dozens of remains of soldiers who fell on the battlefield near Hradec Králové (Königgrätz) were uncovered and examined. Therefore, based on archaeological and anthropological research, completely new knowledge can be revealed as to the form of the war graves and the way they were created shortly after the battle.The discovered graves will be the subject of further future research, as this is a completely unique example of their extensive exposure. The significance of these graves are presented in this article in advance of all the completed analysis. The remains will later rest in a newly built ossuary.