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3: THE MATERIALITY OF THE BERLIN WALL around the materiality of the Berlin Wall. What was to become of this iconic but much hated monument Most people just wanted it gone, but a few voices of caution were raised, both from professionals and concerned Berliners. A proposal to preserve sections of the wall was suggested by the Berlin State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments and following investigations seven sections were put forward for preservation. Strong feelings against its preservation by the general public and from politicians, however, led to demolition (Klausmeier 2009:97). Since the late 1990s there has been an increased interest in the remains of the Berlin Wall more than as a commodity and studies and research have been carried out on the material that remains (Feversham and Schmidt 1999 and 2007, Dolff-Bonekämper 2002, Klausmeier and Schmidt 2004, Harrison 2005, Schmidt and von Preuschen 2005, Taylor 2006, Sheffer 2007 and 2008, Rottman 2008 Klausmeier 2009,). These studies show that although great efforts went into the demolition of the actual wall structures there are other remains related to the wall still in situ. Although more and more of these traces are disappearing several of them can still be seen in the landscape today. A major archaeological study of what remained of the Berlin Wall was carried out between 2001–2003 by the Department of Architectural Conservation at the Brandenburg University of Technology, Cottbus, Germany on behalf of the Berlin State Authorities. The aim of the study was to record any remaining features of the former border structure. The results were presented in Alex Klausmeier and Leo Schmidt’s book “Wall Remnants – Wall Traces”. Presented in the format of a guidebook this archaeological survey covers the full length of the inner city wall through Berlin (Klausmeier and Schmidt 2004:13). This study together with two visits to Berlin, both in 2009, forms the base for my discussions about the materiality of the Berlin Wall. The Berlin Wall is closely related to the idea of the Iron Curtain as they have developed together and often becomes synonymous. The Berlin Wall is not one of my study areas but it is highly important, especially for the idea of the Iron Curtain and for many people as a manifestation of the Cold War. In the introduction to their book “Wall Remnants – Wall Traces”, Klausmeier and Schmidt write that the Berlin Wall “was not an inevitable product of the Cold War” (Klausmeier and Schmidt 2004:10). It is true that the Soviet Union only gave in to the demands of the leaders of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) for a barrier to stop the exodus of refugees from East to West Berlin (Harrison 2005:19). However, as discussed in Chapter 2, it is clear that the Berlin Wall became one of the most visible and 49
AN ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE IRON CURTAIN tangible example of an East/West divide. The wall became a manifestation of the Cold War division rather than a result of it. As many of the other militarised borders across Europe at the time this was clearly visible to the Western world and it caught the attention of the media which helped to spread the image of the Berlin Wall across the globe. The material Berlin today I turn a corner and a large open space suddenly opens up, a vast nothingness stretching out to my left and right. At this former death strip site grass and bushes have done their best to reclaim their hegemony, only interrupted by a few occasional paths that cross the space. I follow the cobbled line along the ground and as I walk along it I notice that all the buildings around me look very new, many not yet finished. I walk on, and after turning into Axel-Springerstraβe a series of art installations, colourful sections of the Berlin Wall, greet me from the parking lot in front of an office building. I keep following the cobbles, and am occasionally reassured by signage that I am following the route of the former Berlin Wall. Although I am close to the centre there are few people around. This soon changes as I reach Zimmerstrasse and the site of former Checkpoint Charlie. A bus pulls into the curb outside the Museum, Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, releasing a hoard of American teenagers. A couple of giggling girls break away from the rest of the group and walk over to have their picture taken with the handsome ‘American soldier’ stationed by a replica of the 1960s border checkpoint. This large monument of the Cold War is still very much present in Berlin today. Although most of what is generally seen as the Wall, i.e. the concrete wall facing West Berlin, has been removed, much of the former border infrastructure can still be seen throughout Berlin. Major work was carried out in 1990–1991 to remove the wall but today many other features that were part of the wall infrastructure are still visible. Although what was most visible from the West was the final concrete wall this was only the final part in a series of obstacles constructed to stop any attempts to escape to West Berlin. When approaching from the East there would first be warning signs informing of the restrictions of access ahead. These would be red and white painted concrete pillars or low railings, also in red and white, delimiting the restricted areas where only those with authorisation was 50
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3: THE MATERIALITY OF THE BERLIN WALL<br />
around the materiality of the Berlin Wall. What was to become of this<br />
iconic but much hated monument Most people just wanted it gone, but a<br />
few voices of caution were raised, both from professionals and concerned<br />
Berliners. A proposal to preserve sections of the wall was suggested by the<br />
Berlin State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments and<br />
following investigations seven sections were put forward for preservation.<br />
Strong feelings against its preservation by the general public and from<br />
politicians, however, led to demolition (Klausmeier 2009:97). Since the late<br />
1990s there has been an increased interest in the remains of the Berlin Wall<br />
more than as a commodity and studies and research have been carried out<br />
on the material that remains (Feversham and Schmidt 1999 and 2007,<br />
Dolff-Bonekämper 2002, Klausmeier and Schmidt 2004, Harrison 2005,<br />
Schmidt and von Preuschen 2005, Taylor 2006, Sheffer 2007 and 2008,<br />
Rottman 2008 Klausmeier 2009,). These studies show that although great<br />
efforts went into the demolition of the actual wall structures there are other<br />
remains related to the wall still in situ. Although more and more of these<br />
traces are disappearing several of them can still be seen in the landscape<br />
today. A major archaeological study of what remained of the Berlin Wall<br />
was carried out between 2001–2003 by the Department of Architectural<br />
Conservation at the Brandenburg University of Technology, Cottbus,<br />
Germany on behalf of the Berlin State Authorities. The aim of the study was<br />
to record any remaining features of the former border structure. The results<br />
were presented in Alex Klausmeier and Leo Schmidt’s book “Wall Remnants<br />
– Wall Traces”. Presented in the format of a guidebook this archaeological<br />
survey covers the full length of the inner city wall through Berlin<br />
(Klausmeier and Schmidt 2004:13). This study together with two visits to<br />
Berlin, both in 2009, forms the base for my discussions about the materiality<br />
of the Berlin Wall.<br />
The Berlin Wall is closely related to the idea of the Iron Curtain as they<br />
have developed together and often becomes synonymous. The Berlin Wall<br />
is not one of my study areas but it is highly important, especially for the<br />
idea of the Iron Curtain and for many people as a manifestation of the Cold<br />
War. In the introduction to their book “Wall Remnants – Wall Traces”,<br />
Klausmeier and Schmidt write that the Berlin Wall “was not an inevitable<br />
product of the Cold War” (Klausmeier and Schmidt 2004:10). It is true that<br />
the Soviet Union only gave in to the demands of the leaders of the German<br />
Democratic Republic (GDR) for a barrier to stop the exodus of refugees<br />
from East to West Berlin (Harrison 2005:19). However, as discussed in<br />
Chapter 2, it is clear that the Berlin Wall became one of the most visible and<br />
49
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