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J. GRAF, T. KUES, C. MATTOGNO, SOBIBÓR 119
Grave No. 2 lies in the western part of hectare XVII, to the south
of the monument mound. It was localized by 28 drillings. It has an
irregular outline, with dimensions of at least 20 × 25 m (the longer
edge in NS orientation) and depth up to 4.00 m. It contains remains
of cremated corpses.
Grave No. 3 is located in the southwestern part of hectare XI and
the northwestern part of hectare XVII. It was localized by 17 drillings.
It has an irregular outline, with dimensions measuring approx.
20 × 12 m (the longer side in NS orientation). Most of the grave is
located under the northwestern part of the monument mound. The
depth reaches up to 5.80 m.
In its lower parts it is a skeleton grave, with corpse remains
which have undergone wax-fat transformation, [337] while in its upper
parts it contains remains of cremated corpses, interstratified with
layers of limestone, sand and charcoals. The northern part of the
grave is situated close to the northern part of grave 4. To determine
the extent of both of these graves more precisely, further, more detailed
coring is required.
Grave No. 4 is a grave of considerable size covering the southern
part of hectare XI and the northern and central parts of hectare
XVIII. It was localized by 78 drillings. The outline, which is oriented
in north-south direction, measures 70 × 20-25 m and has a depth of
approx. 5.00 m. In its lower parts it is a skeleton grave, with corpse
remains which have undergone wax-fat transformation, while in its
upper parts it contains remains of cremated corpses, interstratified
with layers of limestone, sand, and charcoals.
Grave No. 5 is a grave of small area in the northwestern part of
hectare XVIII. It was localized by 7 drillings. Its outline is irregular,
with an area of at least 10 × 12 m and a depth reaching up to 4.90
m. In its lower parts it is a skeleton grave, with corpse remains
which have undergone wax-fat transformation, while in its upper
parts it contains remains of cremated corpses.
337
Saponification or wax-fat transformation “consists of the formation of adipocere, an insoluble
soap of greasy and oily appearance having an unpleasant odor, produced by the
combination of neutral fats from tissue and calcium and magnesium salts present in the
water or in the humid soil in which the corpse rests. The absence of air is crucial. The
process starts with the subcutaneous tissue and then spreads to the fatty perivisceral tissue.
Saponification sets in after a few weeks and is complete after 12 to 18 months.”;
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