Tag: dumps

challenge history pragmatic historian

The Litter Layer Challenge

By Mary | by Mary

In order to explore The Litter Layer I brought up in the last post, I’ve created a challenge to get you thinking about it. The Litter Layer is my term for what I expect archaeologists of the future will find in terms of dumps, landfills, and litter everywhere within this era’s layer of earth, especially in comparison to archaeological digs of previous eras. Take a walk a block or two from your home and make…

Continue reading

history museums pragmatic historian

The Litter Layer

By Mary | by Mary

I walk my dog twice a day. One of the things I note on our walks is how much litter there is. Aside from food wrappers and plastic bottles, the detritus has included a lens from sunglasses, a knife, random clothing, pens, plastic bags, receipts, and the odd coin. Pretty much anything that can be dropped or discarded eventually becomes litter. When I was a kid, there was not nearly as much litter as there…

Continue reading