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Interesting that the conditions under the floorboards were ideal for keeping the materials well conserved. I wonder whether we (I mean, our archaelogists) can e
by gota 6y ago
Interesting that the conditions under the floorboards were ideal for keeping the materials well conserved. I wonder whether we (I mean, our archaelogists) can estimate how many of our current objects disposed as "hidden remains" will be in good condition in 500 years.
Are people in 500 years going to find a 2000's flip-phone in good condition in a basement?
- dhosek 6y agoThere are likely empty cigarette packages and beer cans inside the walls of many contemporary buildings. Gut rehabs of older homes often turn up interesting artifacts behind the plaster walls and in older buildings it wasn't uncommon to use newspapers and old clothing for insulation material. Our landfills will likely be the primary archaeological sites though. My dad often complains when my mom throws things out claiming that the archaeologists of the future will lose access which I often rebut by pointing out that she's merely sending it to the central archaeological repository.
- gota 6y agoI was referring to the limestone substrate that "sucked the moist out of the objects" and helped preserve them. You're right about landfills - we have so many of those some are bound to be "preservation friendly"!
- Ichthypresbyter 6y agoNot to mention the various American houses with walls full of used razor blades: https://isarchitecture.com/seen-around-town-mid-century-blade-bank-slot/ https://isarchitecture.com/seen-around-town-mid-century-blad...
- dhosek 6y agoWe had a medicine cabinet with slots for dropping in razor blades in our house growing up. I don't think my dad disposed of used razor blades in it though.
- colejohnson66 6y agoIs that... an electrical line running right above the blades??