An international team of researchers have been handed exclusive access to explore a key First World War site in France.

Newspaper article. Archaeologists, historians, chemists – including members from Staffordshire University – have been researching the Hawthorn Crater. The site, near Beaumont Hamel in France, was one of 17 mines blown up by British troops on the morning of July 1, 1916. It marked the start of the Battle of the Somme offensive – with the area having never been scientifically examined by experts. The article includes a link to a researched and produced podcast by Production House at Staffordshire University. The Erasmus-funded project has been captured on film using narrative and digital film archive methods – with the team also producing a podcast to mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme on July 1. To listen to the podcast, visit https://soundcloud.com/paul-ottey/hawthorn-crater-podcast-1/