Obóz Pracy Treblinka I. Metodyka integracji danych wieloźródłowych.

Testimonies and information obtained from the former prisoners were up till now mainly used in the research conducted in Labor Camp Treblinka I and in the Extermination Camp Treblinka II. English archeologists from the Staffordshire University have noted significant achievements. They conducted a research between 2007 and 2015 in the area of the Labor Camp Treblinka I and in the Extermination Camp Treblinka II. The research was conducted within a bigger project that also included camps on the Alderney Island and on the territories of the former Yugoslavia. However there is still lack of the comprehensive scientific research on the camps’ topography that would also include the nearest surroundings and would consider the fullest possible analysis of both testimonies and the spatial data (current and historical). It’s been 70 years since the camps were liberated. New measuring techniques and a wider access to the archival data opened a new chapter in the research on the history of Treblinka camps. The Uprising in Extermination Camp Treblinka II that began on August 2, 1943 only partially influenced its liquidation. The Camp’s liquidation stared at the end of August, and demolition works lasted till November. Germans were very meticulous in removing all the traces of the perfectly operating “death machine”. Buildings and gas chambers were demolished and a farm was established at the former camp area. The Labour Camp operated till July 23, 1944 and was also later demolished. Its liquidation did not go according to the same scenario as in the case of a Extermination Camp. Till this day some buildings’ foundations remain. However, there are no plans for both camps and we can learn how they operated only from the testimonies. Within the project: “Methodology for integrating and harmonizing multi-source data for the research on functioning of the Treblinka I Labour Camp and Treblinka II Extermination Camp”, the authors of this monograph made first attempts to fully review available data and information on Treblinka camps. The research was conducted with an innovative method using the technology of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) that allows the connection of the witnesses’ testimonies with the available and newly obtained geographic data. This method resulted in additional information that deepened the knowledge about the events that took place around Treblinka, not only during the period when the camps operated. The research continued in 2017 due to the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage funds available within the project “Supporting the Care Over Places of Remembrance and Permanent Commemoration in the Country”. This study includes research that has not been published yet and that was conducted between 2015 and 2017 at the area of the Labor Camp Treblinka and its surroundings. Solutions suggested in this study may become guidelines for conducting similar studies at the areas of other labour, transit, POW and concentration camps. One of the goals of the research was to systematize and describe the source materials and documentation describing the examined objects from the point of view of the camps’ topography and which are available in the archives and museums. Documents available in the Archives of the New Files (unknown financial documents regarding Labour Camp were discovered) and The Institute of National Remembers were analyzed. The second goal of the research was to prepare complete archival queries of aerial photographs, cartographic materials and text documents that are not yet known to the subject literature. Within this research, an access to the aerial photographs from the period 1940-1958 and topographical maps was obtained. The aerial photographs and maps that were discovered were not, to the full extent, known and used in the research on Treblinka camps neither in publications. An innovative solution was the development of a descriptive data linking methodology (from the testimonies) with spatial data in the aspect of historical research. The method and use of IT tools in the Geographic Information Systems allowed establishing next stages of the field research. Not only archival data (such as aerial maps or topographical maps) were used in the research. In order to conduct the research and generate derivative products (eg. shaded maps) a data from the laser scanning were used at every stage of the research. For the first time a satellite picture from the WorldView2 System was used for the research on Labour and Extermination Camps in Treblinka. The picture was used to interpret and visualize data. Current and archival data and witnesses’ testimonies were given a spatial dimension; results of the spatial analysis were used to select 8 research areas. Selected areas were subject to the on-site, detailed inspection. Archeological research was performed at the selected areas with potential mass graves. Those places were selected on the basis of the spatial analysis of the data gathered in the Spatial Database System for Treblinka camps. Three execution holes were localized during invasive research. The discovered graves were marked with crosses. The internal road and garbage dump localized at the area of the former Labour Camp were also researched using invasive methods. In case of the road it was expected for the human remains from the pyres of the Extermination Camp to be found. The excavation yielded negative results. Few metal artifacts were discovered at the garbage dump area, such as metal fragments of shoes and clothing, buttons, buckles, shell casings, coins, and glass containers, as well as unidentified metal objects. Those artifacts will add to the collection of the Museum of Struggle and Martyrdom in Treblinka. Human bones were also found at the described area. The last significant achievement of the research was a discovery of a railroad track fragment from the siding located at the gravel plant. This discovery was possible due to the composition of the results of analysis of archival aerial photographs and satellite photographs from the WorldView2 System. The railroad track is over 7 meters long and will be displayed in the viewpoint on a gravel plant. The research added to the knowledge of the history of both camps and indicated new research paths aiming to clarify the issues, which have not yet been addressed. Gaining access to digital archives and technically advanced “products” obtained on the basis of the engeenerial data analysis gives reason to assume that new technology will help deepen the historical knowledge not only related to Treblinka.