- Microplastics found during archaeological excavations in York threaten preserved remains from Roman and Viking times.
- These plastics enter the body from various sources, which can be harmful to human health.
- Researchers think plastics may have been introduced during excavations in the 1980s.
Microplastics, particles smaller than five millimeters, have been found at archaeological sites in York and pose a threat of damaging preserved remains from the Roman and Viking periods. These particles enter our bodies from a variety of sources, such as plastic packaging, food, tap water and air, and are linked to health problems such as cancer and fertility problems.
The team from the University of York discovered more than 25,000 microplastics in the samples, likely resulting from human activities such as industry, agriculture, transportation and daily life.
Sites at Wellington Row and the Queen’s Hotel have yielded important historical artefacts. The Wellington Row site, linked to the Viking period, contained tons of animal bones, pottery and other objects. The Queen’s Hotel excavation uncovered the remains of an ancient wall, revealing its importance to the Roman empire.
The prevalence of microplastics in the environment has raised concerns as they have been found in various locations around the world, including the Mariana Trench and Mount Everest.
The team used Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to identify plastics in soil samples. In the research, the team found that plastics such as Teflon, polyethylene and polypropylene may have been uncovered during excavations in the 1980s.
Microplastics with a length of less than five millimeters; It enters our bodies through plastic packaging, some foods, tap water and even the air we breathe, and is associated with cancer and fertility problems.
This discovery highlights the potential risk to archaeological sites and their historical values. The presence of microplastics can compromise radiocarbon dating and other analyses. More research is needed to understand the extent of this threat and reduce the impact of microplastics on our historical heritage.
Compiled by: Eliz Canyurt