I have always had a fascination with forgotten places and the concept of exploration. Born in New Jersey (USA) and currently living part-time in Europe, I have had many fantastic opportunities to visit and photograph countless abandoned mining, military, and industrial sites around the world, along with the landscapes shaped around them.  

Besides mining, a major focus for my research is the underground armaments production facilities of the Nazis (so-called "Untertage Verlagerungen"), hundreds of which were constructed all over Germany and the occupied territories from 1943 until the war's end as a means of protecting key industries from the Allied bombing campaign. With the inextricable relation with forced labor, or "Zwangsarbeit", these valuable historical sites are some of the last untouched remains of the Holocaust; while above ground concentration camps have been largely demolished or restored to museum status, the subterranean remains are largely preserved as they were 80 years ago. In addition to my own photographic work, my documentation has included many visits to various archives and memorials worldwide, amassing a vast collection of original documents and photographs. I've carried out research at the US National Archives (NARA) for several memorial associations in Germany, and photos of mine have been used on information boards and publications.  

As the above-ground world is constantly evolving, humankind's subterranean creations are often the last true time capsules from our previous generations. I believe it's crucial to document these places using a combination of historical and contemporary research and photographs in order to fully understand how our past continues to shape modern society. Through my photography and research, I strive to promote the preservation of these invaluable places before they are lost forever. 


All photos and captions are copyright Graham Gaulke 2023
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