Microplastics are entering every sphere of our lives and ecosystem and now even the old sites are not safe. Recently researchers found Microplastics found in archaeological soil samples taken from 7 meters deep into the ground.
Recently researchers from the archaeological department of the University of York and University of Hull published a shocking study. They discovered microplastics in archaeological soil samples, confirming their prevalence since at least the 1980s. These tiny particles are present in the layers from 7 meters deep. More surprisingly, these samples are from the 1st or 2nd century.
This encourages additional research into its effects. This further raises concerns regarding site preservation and scientific value due to the possible harm to conserved remains.
Importance of the Study: Microplastics in Archaeological Soil Samples
John Schofield, a professor from the University of York’s Department of Archaeology said, “This feels like an important moment, confirming what we should have expected: that what were previously thought to be pristine archaeological deposits, ripe for investigation, are in fact contaminated with plastics, and that this includes deposits sampled and stored in the late 1980s.”
Prof. Schofield is highly concerned about the extent of damage and contamination done to the valuable deposits of national historical importance.
Highlights
According to David Jennings, a chief executive of York Archaeology, “We think of microplastics as a very modern phenomenon, as we have only really been hearing about them for the last 20 years, when Professor Richard Thompson revealed in 2004 that they have been prevalent in our seas since the 1960s with the post-war boom in plastic production,”
- The study discovered 16 different microplastic polymer types in both present and archived samples.
- This is raising concerns about its impact on the scientific value of archaeological remains.
- The study shows infiltrated plastic in the archaeological deposits like the oceans.
- It seems this has been happening since long ago as some samples were archived in 1988 at Wellington Row in York.
- Microplastic will change the soil chemistry and will introduce new elements. This can lead to decay in organic remains of the soil.
- This can leave preserving archaeological in situ inappropriate method of keeping history alive.
Jennings also stated “Where this becomes a concern for archaeology is how microplastics may compromise the scientific value of archaeological deposits. Our best-preserved remains – for example, the Viking finds at Coppergate – were in a consistent anaerobic waterlogged environment for over 1000 years, which preserved organic materials incredibly well.”
Conclusion
The research team emphasizes the importance of further investigation into the influence of microplastics on archaeological deposits. They emphasized the urgency of knowing the consequences of these man-made chemicals.
Source: Scientists uncover evidence that microplastics are contaminating archaeological remains
