The plastic age is a term that some scholars suggest we use to refer to modern times dominated by the plastic in which we live. The use and waste of plastic is also related to the Anthropocene, the current, unofficial geological epoch, marked by the impact that humans have on the geology and ecosystem of the Earth. Regardless of the perspective one has on these terms, no one would argue that plastic is not a popular material these days. A recent study in Wales also shows how plastic can be imposed on the archaeological record and predicts the archeology of the future.
Top image: “Winter Day: Henllys Castle”. Plastic age artifacts were found at the site of the dismantled round houses. Source: Dylan Moore / CC BY-SA 2.0
Where the age of iron meets the age of plastic
The new study published in the journal Antiquity explains that Henllys Castle is a well-excavated fortress in Wales dating from the late first millennium BC, in the Iron Age. In the 1980s, two experimental reconstructions of the Iron Age round houses were built. They were built on top of the locations of the actual Iron Age roundabouts and their construction was based on archaeological evidence recovered from the site.
Henllys Castle. A view showing the entrance to one of the round houses completed in 1988. (Malcolm Neal / CC BY-SA 2.0 )
Round houses have been fundamental features of heritage, but health and safety concerns ordered that they could not be refurbished after 30 years, replicas of round houses had to be dismantled and rebuilt. In 2017/2018, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park convened researchers to excavate the dismantled round houses. Archaeologists were originally interested in investigating the remains of reconstructed Iron Age roundabouts to learn more about the decay process, how it affects archaeological preservation, and what activities leave their mark on the archaeological record.
The researchers write that their study of the roundabout replicas achieved this goal and that “as expected, it illuminated decay processes and demonstrated how the archaeological signatures of reconstructed buildings can aid in the interpretation of later prehistoric structural remains “They also hoped to find artifacts and other signs from the more than 30-year-old round houses that welcomed visitors, school trips and even a reality TV show (called “Surviving the Iron Age” ). But they didn’t expect to find so many signs of the Plastic Age at Henllys Castle. The large number of plastics and plasticized items such as candy wrappers is the biggest discovery.
Examples of small fragments of sweet wrappers recovered from the Earthwatch roundabout at Henllys Castle. (A. Fairley Antiquity / Antiquity Publications Ltd. )
The hidden life of a popular heritage
To establish the scene, the researchers write that it was “a well-maintained heritage site, from which modern waste is systematically decomposed to preserve the excitement for visitors of an Iron Age environment.” . Thus, the researchers were surprised to discover more than 2,000 plastic items during the excavations, a number that “far exceeds the replica of prehistoric items used on the site or even other traces of modern life,” according to a Antiquity Press release.
Professor Harold Mytum of the University of Liverpool and lead author of the new study said: “We had not anticipated the large amounts of rubbish (mainly plastic) being deposited, although the houses did not look cluttered.” Professor Mytum co-wrote the article with James Meek of the Dyfed Archaeological Trust.
Excavations at the site reveal recent relics from the Plastic Age. (H. Mytum / Antiquity Publications Ltd. )
The round houses were called “Cookhouse,” which was installed as an Iron Age roundabout, and “Earthwatch,” which was used more as a classroom and had benches inside. The Cookhouse gave visitors an insight into life in the Iron Age and taught them about domestic life as well as the cooking and weaving techniques of that era.
A la Antiquity According to a document by Mytum and Meek, the Cookhouse is described as “the most visited roundabout in the area,” but researchers found that “relatively little waste accumulated inside it, as the public would enter it for a brief inspection.” from the inside or would circulate around the inner ring of the sticks, and perhaps sit around the home and absorb the atmosphere, instead of participating in activities that could easily generate debris. ” 422 modern materials (which also included non-plastic items such as nails, coins, and tools) during their excavations in the kitchen.
The two replicas of the Iron Age where signs of the plastic age were found. (H. Mytum / Antiquity Publications Ltd. )
But Earthwatch excavations revealed a much greater impact of the Plastic Age. In this place were found 2759 modern objects, which consisted mainly of plastics and plasticized articles. Many of the materials were related to the frequent use of Earthwatch as a place where students could eat lunch while making excursions to the heritage site. Candy wrappers, straw wrappers, and other food-related items, such as plastic spoons and forks, made up a large part of the plastic set.
Artifacts of the Plastic Age? Plastic items associated with the consumption of takeaway lunches at the Earthwatch roundabout. (A. Fairley / Antiquity Publications Ltd. )
Much of the plastic found in low-light homes was fragmentary, which researchers say “may explain why so much plastic was found, despite efforts to keep the place clean. These small fragments may be easier to tread on the ground or disappear in dark corners.
Two more scholars warning about the plastic age
This research reveals that while cleaning up an archeological or heritage site frequented by visitors may look good, it may not completely eliminate the impact of who has been there. The study also makes you wonder what future archaeologists could do with the discovery of a stack of candy wrappers in a heritage site.
A Godzilla-themed thermos wrapper was found at the Earthwatch roundabout. (A. Fairley / Antiquity Publications Ltd. )What would a future archaeologist do with this discovery?
Regardless, it suggests that cleaning alone is insufficient to prevent the signs of the Plastic Age; a fact that researchers hope to use with these findings to raise environmental awareness and reduce the amount of plastic that enters the landscape.
As for Mytum and Meek, this research at Henllys Castle has inspired them to join other scholars who claim that we live in the Plastic Age. Professor Mytum also notes that “plastic spoons, straws, wrappers and cling film, and even apple labels, were very common finds,” so Mytum states that “schools and families they need to think about how they can prepare packed lunches that are more environmentally friendly. “
At the conclusion of their work, the researchers express their hope that the age of plastic will not last as long as the age of iron. “With so many initiatives now driving the shift to disposable plastic and plasticized items, this may be a narrow, but archaeologically distinctive chronological horizon,” the researchers write.
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park has decided to use the results of the recent study in an educational campaign to encourage visitors and schools to take better care of the environment and stop littering. I hope others do.
By Alicia McDermott
Top image: The two Iron Age replicas at Henllys Castle in Wales, where signs of the plastic age were found. (H. Mytum / Antiquity Publications Ltd. ) Insertion: plastic spoon located in one of the roundabouts. (A. Fairley / Antiquity Publications Ltd. )