Microplastics have been detected in soil samples from ancient archaeological sites of high historical value. This could bring changes to the long-preferred method of preserving archaeological sites.
On the 25th (local time), CNN reported that a team of archaeologists from the University of York in the UK recently discovered microplastics 7 meters deep in soil layers deposited around the 1st to 2nd centuries.
The researchers confirmed a total of 16 types of microplastic polymers in modern soil samples and preserved soil samples.
Microplastics are plastic particles ranging in size from 5mm to 1μm (micrometer), which result from larger plastics being chemically decomposed or physically worn down.
The researchers explained that while there have been concerns about the impact of microplastics on the environment and human health, this study could change the entire field of archaeology.
Although it has been preferred to preserve archaeological sites in situ, changes in preservation methods may be necessary due to the potential for microplastic pollution to damage the scientific value of the sites.
The research leader, Professor John Schofield from the Department of Archaeology at the University of York, said, “What we thought was primitive archaeological sediment was contaminated with plastic,” adding that “what we feared has been confirmed.” He also added, “We need to determine what harm microplastic pollution can do to ancient sediments and of national importance.”
David Jennings, CEO of York Archaeology, a site preservation organization, expressed concern that “microplastics can change the chemical properties of the soil and potentially cause organic matter to corrode.”
Meanwhile, the University of York research team’s study results were published in the international environmental journal Science of the Total Environment.
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