An Investigation of the Geospatial and Religious Dimensions of the Forgotten Jewish Community of Aizpute, Latvia

Abstract

Aizpute Latvia is home to one of the many forgotten Jewish communities that succumbed to Nazi and local antisemitic violence during the Holocaust. Despite the significant cultural and economic contributions of the Jewish community, five hundred and one Aizpute Jews were murdered during the Holocaust. The exact burial site remains undiscovered eight decades later. The project aims to locate and employ non-invasive geospatial tools to generate 2D and 3D models of the potential burial site in Aizpute Latvia. In an effort to memorialize the forgotten community, a Christian Latvian, native to Aizpute, placed a memorial representing the twelve tribes of Israel near the potential burial site. In collaboration with Jewish heritage associations, anthropologists, and scientists, research endeavors have been initiated to uncover the exact killing site and burial grounds. Geospatial tools, including ground-penetrating radar (GPR), topographic laser leveling, soil boring, drone imagery, historical insights, and individual testimonies, were utilized in the investigation. Based on local testimonials, a 17x4.5m GPR grid was placed in the Aizpute forest, collected by a pulsedEKKO Pro GPR system using an antenne frequency of 500 MHz. The GPR and soil probing data conclude that the potential burial site is not in the surveyed grid.