Reconstruction of German Coastal Defense Line in 1942-1944 and Search for Military Historical Heritage Objects. Bolshoi Tyuters Island. Data of Geophysical Methods and Excavations.

Abstract

The article describes the results of full-scale geophysical 2017-2018 studies conducted with the purpose of detecting military historical heritage objects on Bolshoy Tyuters Island. Sand dunes located in the eastern part of the island were studied in a short time by detailed magnetic exploration with an observation step of about 1 m. The most interesting anomalies of the magnetic field were investigated with the georadiolocation method. The processed results provided for mapping the anomalous magnetic field and creating georadiolocation sections and a dimensional relief model which demonstrate anomalies related to German defense and are promising for further excavations. The pinpoint excavations of the identified anomalies made it possible to explain their nature and discover objects of historical value at depths of up to 5 m. Despite high "contamination" of the dunes with metal debris, the use of geophysical methods with a dense observation system made it possible to detect a large number of objects of military historical heritage and significantly reduce the volume of excavations. Linking of the German positions archival scheme at hand additionally provided for comparing the location of the objects found with symbols made on it. After systematization and generalization of all the information obtained during 4 years of research on the island, it is possible to reconstruct the system of German defense in the area of sand dunes with a high degree of reliability.