THE PRESERVATION AND DESTRUCTION OF EVIDENCE



THE PRESERVATION AND DESTRUCTION OF EVIDENCE

Using all resources at your disposal, discuss what factors affect the preservation and destruction of evidence.

There are many factors that affect the preservation and destruction of evidence. These coincide with how artifacts are dealt with to preserve evidence and how destruction of evidence can affect the history of archaeology.

The factors that affect the destruction of evidence include:

• Warfare – Warfare has always been the worst example of the destruction of evidence. Such conflict has usually been accompanied by looting. This contributes to the loss of artifacts, which usually results in artifacts being sold for money or for other purposes. E.g. The Second Gulf War where civilians in Baghdad had broken into presidential places and thus dragging away items of great value is an example of the destruction of evidence.

• Tourism – Modern mass tourism is a major cause of damage and destruction to archaeological sites.[1] Tourists walk, touch, photograph, take souvenirs and breathe, all of which endanger the sites they visit.[2]

• Pollution – Pollution itself poses the greatest amounts of damage and destruction of archaeological sites. E.g. Air pollution in the form of emissions from traffic and industry combine to create acid rain. This acts as a corrosive agent that eats into and destroys ancient stonework. [3] Ground pollution also poses risks to artifacts. As a result artifacts are destroyed and the history of archaeological remains is forever lost.

• Modern Development – Urban development also poses risk historical sites. This usually coincides with the balance of preserving evidence of the past and providing needs for the present and future development (roads, freeways, etc). The construction of roads, freeways, tunnels and housing developments can destroy artifacts that lie beneath.

• Looting – Looting is another way in which evidence is destroyed and damaged. Looting is legal by means of which ‘treasure hunters’ dig up the past and take it to their country as if it were their own. Furthermore these artifacts are used in the Black Market where these are sold to other countries through underground trade. As a result many civilisations have been limited to their understanding and knowledge of archaeological finds. E.g. the Parthenon Marbles which was taken from Greece after a war between the Ottoman Empire and Venice are displayed at the British Museum in London, is an example of looting.

The survival of physical remains from the past depends very much on the material from which they are made, the environment conditions that they are subjected to and sheer fate.[4] Artifacts made of stone, brick, gold, bronze and clay preserve well, whereas organic remains (human or animal), textiles, papyrus decay rapidly.

The factors which affect the preservation of evidence include:

• Climate – Dry climates such as desert regions are beneficial in the preservation of objects. Heat and the absence of moisture prevent decay. Many important finds such as the tomb of Tutankhamen and the wooden ships buried beside the pyramids of Giza still remain due to the dry climate that preserves the finds. Peat bogs, in the presence of acids in the soil help prevent decay. Examples where beat bogs have been used are the Tollund Man and Lindow Man. Cold climates also provide suitable conditions for the preservation of organic materials. E.g. the 5000 year old body of Oetzi, also known as Iceman is an excellent example of preserved remains in cold climates.

• Geological Conditions – The composition of soil in which objects are buried play a major role in the preservation of evidence. Chemicals from plant or animal matter react with minerals in the soil, thus preventing decay. E.g. the presence of calcium turns bones into hard stone. Another great example is the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, where it was preserved under layers of volcanic ash and mud since 79 AD.

• Actions of People – People are mostly considered to part a vital part in the preservation of evidence (deliberately or accidently). Burial customs play a most significant role because tombs, hidden from grave robbers, have preserved grave goods and bodies. They provide archaeologists with opportunities to learn abut the people who built them.[5]

• Fire – Fire is also a source that preserves evidence. Considered harmful, it can convert fragile objects, such as grain, to a carbonized form. Damp clay, such as writing tablets, can be fired and preserved. Examples include clay tablets of the ancient Minoans and Mycenaeans found at Knossos and Pylos.

Furthermore, archaeological remains are the foundation for our history. Due to the destruction of evidence the extent of history is limited due to the many factors which affect the survival of historical remains. Great measures have been made to reduce the amount of destruction amongst artifacts. The preservation of evidence can provide us with extensive knowledge of the past and present day. All of which are needed to help us understand history about the past.

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[1] Antiquity 1 – Past Perspectives (page 32)

[2] Ibid (page 32)

[3] Ibid (page 34)

[4] Ibid (page 34)

[5] Ibid (page 35)

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Lindow Man

Pompeii and Herculaneum

Tourists

Warfare in Baghdad

Pollution from Industry

Clay tablets of the ancient Minoans and Mycenaeans

Parthenon

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