I visited Butrint Archeological Site yesterday in southern Albania and saw that the ancient city is buried by at least 2 or 3 metres of earth, that archeologists are excavating to uncover the site.
What is the mechanism for these ancient cities becoming so buried in a relatively short amount of time?
In: 17
This is a common question I hear.
First it is a bit of observation bias. You don’t pay attention to the things that aren’t buried, that are laying on top of the ground. Over the years, the things that are on top of the ground have already been collected and cataloged.
Mostly though, plant growth will cover the objects. Plants grow up, over the items, then fall back or drop leaves. Over several years, you’ve got a layer of decayed plant material (soil) over the object.
ALso grasses expand outwards….and I’m willing to bet you’ve seen this. Ever notice a sidewalk getting overrun at the edges with grass? Homeowners will “edge” the sidewalk and remove a few years of growth that the grass has expanded over.
I laid down a paver in my yard 20 years ago. I’ve been watching it. If I didn’t know where it was I’d never know it was there, the grass has virtually covered it.
Latest Answers