Description
The Past Underground
Book Summary
This work provides an in-depth analysis of the phenomenon of exhuming mass graves from the Spanish Civil War, one of the most controversial issues of the first decade of the 21st century. Francisco Ferrándiz Martín offers a rigorous and well-documented look at how the recovery of human remains has become a social, political, and scientific process. The reader will find a study that connects historical memory with archaeological and forensic practices, explaining the keys to a debate that remains current in Spanish society.
What is it about?
The book addresses the exhumation of mass graves from the Spanish Civil War as a complex phenomenon that goes beyond the mere recovery of remains. Although there were precedents during the war, the Franco regime, and the transition, contemporary exhumations present two fundamental novelties: the participation of technical teams of archaeologists and forensic experts, and their link to global discourses and practices regarding human rights. Ferrándiz Martín examines how these interventions have transformed the treatment of historical memory in Spain, generating political tensions, public debates, and new forms of collective mourning. The work offers a detailed analysis of the social contexts, the motivations of the families, and the role of institutions in this process of recovering the past.
Main themes
- Exhumations of mass graves from the Spanish Civil War
- Historical memory and memory policies in Spain
- Forensic archaeology and human rights
- Political violence and war crimes during the civil conflict
- Processes of collective mourning and symbolic reparation
- Public debate on the traumatic past in contemporary Spain
Who is it recommended for?
This book is intended for readers interested in the history of Spain, especially the Civil War and its consequences. It is also highly useful for students and professionals in history, anthropology, archaeology, and the social sciences who wish to understand the processes of recovering historical memory. Likewise, it is a relevant work for those who follow the public debate on human rights, transitional justice, and the reparation of victims of armed conflicts.
What this book contributes
- A rigorous and updated analysis of the exhumation of mass graves as a social and political phenomenon.
- Understanding of the differences between the exhumation cycles of the Franco regime, the transition, and the contemporary era.
- Keys to understanding the link between forensic archaeology, human rights, and collective memory.
- A critical perspective on the public debate surrounding the Civil War and its victims.
Technical Specifications
- Author: Ferrándiz Martín, Francisco
- Publisher: Anthropos Editorial
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Literary essays, History, History of Spain, Spanish Civil War, Political assassinations, War crimes
- Collection: Broken Memory
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: March 2014
- Number of pages: 336
- Weight: 408 g
Editorial Assessment
This is a reference work for those wishing to delve into the complex process of exhuming mass graves in Spain. The author combines academic rigor with a clear and accessible presentation, making it a useful read for both specialists and general readers interested in historical memory. Its multidisciplinary approach and its ability to contextualize a controversial topic make it especially relevant in the contemporary debate regarding Spain's traumatic past.