Using nature to help find the past

Using nature to help find the past

The discovery and preservation of the past is a subject hotly debated by those seeking to unearth the remains of history.  One camp prefers to leave things beneath the earth until technologies are improved to a point where preservation can be done properly.  Others prefer to dig up these remains and begin preservation now with whatever methods are currently available.  This has led to some sites being protected by law to the point where archaeologists are not allowed to touch them.  But these investigators are not content to just sit and wait, so they’ve gotten a bit creative.  The latest out-of-the-box method?  They’re using moles to do the excavations for them.

The site in question is Epiacum, a Roman fort in the UK that is dated to around 120 CE.  English Heritage has deemed the site to be protected from digs, although artifacts are finding their way to the surface due to moles digging their holes in the ground and dragging up pieces here and there.  In response, archaeologists have been going in and sifting through what the moles have brought up.

Thirty-seven volunteers have been looking through the moles’ remains and have turned up some interesting treasures which give more clues to Roman life in ancient Britain.  Bits of pottery, jewelry, pieces of old plumbing and nails have all been found.

Though these artifacts will certainly not be in situ, at least some of them can be studied until the site is opened up to a proper excavation.  Currently, those in charge of the project are collecting the artifacts and sending them off to a museum.  They hope to eventually bring them back and set up a display about the site for visitors to enjoy.  It may be unorthodox, but using the moles is working.  And better yet, they put in plenty of hours and work free of charge.