Napoleon’s last stand: Unearthed trench reveals gruesome aftermath of Waterloo

In a significant discovery in Napoleonic archeology, an international team of veterans and archaeologists excavated a hospital trench that revealed the horrific circumstances that followed the infamously bloody battle of Waterloo, which ended Napoleon’s political stronghold.

Amid the bleak findings, a sign of dignity emerged: a soldier’s remains were carefully separated from the animal carcasses. This gesture suggests a respectful attempt to honor the fallen despite the grim conditions. Furthermore, having enlisted veterans to participate in meaningful research has given them an opportunity to heal.

According to an official press release this week, Waterloo Uncovered, an organization that seeks to support veteran wellbeing with archaeology, joined forces with the University of Glasgow’s Professor Tony Pollard to complete a week-long dig at Mont-Saint-Jean farm in Belgium. The Duke of Wellington set up a field hospital during the Battle of Waterloo that treated approximately 6,000 soldiers.

With over 20,000 casualties, only two bodies from the Battle of Waterloo have ever been uncovered. One of these was recovered by Waterloo Uncovered just two years ago.

This significant battle, which saw 72,000 French troops face off against 113,000 opponents, has bewildered archaeologists for decades due to the scarcity of bodies found. But the recent excavation of Wellington’s field hospital has opened up a window into the aftermath of the battle, at least.

A trench opens up the dignity afforded to one soldier

Around the hospital, a trench held human and animal remains separated by a barrier of ammunition boxes stripped from soldiers’ leather satchels, as stated in the press release.

Dug up to dispose of the bloody gore, in the North, the ox and seven horses found were butchered though three were shot in the head with a musket ball. To the South were human limbs amputated with a surgeon’s saw, along with a whole skeleton that was recovered in 2022.

“I can’t think of any other site that has this combination of elements – it’s truly unique within Napoleonic archaeology and beyond,” Professor Tony Pollard said.

“The layout of the trench, with all animal, remains on one side of the ammunition box barrier and all the human remains on the other, strongly suggests that the men who buried this individual attempted to offer him a level of dignity and respect despite the horrific scene they would have found themselves facing while clearing the field hospital of the dead.”

Veterans finding healing at Waterloo

But aside from the up-close view of the battle that terminated Napoleon’s leadership, the organization’s archeological fieldwork at a battlefield has provided therapeutic support to veterans, some of whom were injured in battle, which “may seem counterintuitive,” Waterloo Uncovered’s CEO Abigail Boyle said in the press release. However, “it’s actually beneficial.”

“Every beneficiary has a story that has brought them to Waterloo. Away from home and among a group of fellow veterans and wellbeing professionals, they can start to face those memories. Our veterans are exploring the aftermath of a battle while dealing with the ongoing aftermath of battles they have fought in – an aftermath which is often going on in their minds,” a volunteer concluded .