Peter N. sent this amazing project to me, and it’s absolutely fascinating!
In Amsterdam there’s a public works project going on which has involved draining a river. Archaeologists have been able to search through many feet of sediment for artifacts – which date back 800 years. There’s a wonderful website which describes the project in detail here: https://belowthesurface.amsterdam/en/pagina/de-opgravingen-index
… and one of the pages is a catalog of over 11,000 finds, with beautiful photos and descriptions, arranged in chronological order: https://belowthesurface.amsterdam/en/vondsten
It just thrills me to think that every single one of those objects comes with a story, which, unfortunately, is lost forever – a lovers’ quarrel, a picnic, a flood, a missed arrow shot…
I feel the same way as Peter. Seeing small pieces of history always makes me wonder about all the people and their lives. Peter chose one particular piece for me, and was spot on, I love it!
I’m going to be spending some time gawking at all the amazing things found in this streambed archaeology!
Mudlarking for science!
Yeah! I would have loved to be part of that. I was a bit surprised by all the credit cards and IDs found in recent times.
Caine @ 2
I wonder how many are due to pickpockets.
Ice Swimmer, considering, probably a fair amount. Of course, pickpockets are hardly new, but used to be a person could use most everything they picked. ;)
Fascinating. Garbage can tell you a lot about a society. I remember reading something samiliar a long time ago about the findings in old outhouse locations. The stuff from recent times seems populated by bits of plastic that are of no real value or further use. Rather like the garbage I pick up every day on my walks. Well, except for the credit cards and ID.