What were once considered untouched archaeological treasures are now revealing a shocking truth: microplastics are invading ancient soil, threatening to unravel millennia of preserved history.
Scientists have unearthed tiny plastic fragments, some dating back to the Roman era, seven metres deep in what were thought to be pristine archaeological deposits. This startling discovery means that pollution from our modern world has seeped into the very foundations of our heritage, fundamentally altering sites excavated and stored as far back as the 1980s.
Microplastics, born from the breakdown of larger plastic items and a post-war industrial boom, are far from a modern phenomenon, having permeated our oceans since the 1960s. Now, their insidious presence in archaeological soil, with 16 different types identified, poses a dire threat. These particles can dramatically change soil chemistry, accelerating the decay of invaluable organic remains – materials that have survived centuries in stable environments. This unsettling revelation demands a radical re-evaluation of how we preserve historical sites, potentially jeopardizing the long-favored practice of in-situ conservation. Our rich history faces a new, unexpected adversary, demanding urgent global action to protect it for future generations.
Stay tuned to read more in The Deep Reach of Micro-Contamination as we will explore further in the coming articles!