Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is creating a viral archive—an archaeological record of history in the making. One aspect of this archive is increased environmental pollution, not least through the discarded facemasks and gloves that characterise the pandemic. This article—directed specifically at archaeologists—argues that an archaeological perspective on ‘COVID waste’ using social media analysis can help to highlight environmental pollution, and that by giving this waste the status of archaeological material and working with other disciplines, archaeologists can contribute to sustainable, policy-led solutions to combat environmental pollution.
Highlights
Archaeological methods and perspectives can be applied to the material traces of human behaviour from all periods, including the present
From the present authors’ viewpoints of archaeology, marine biology, and politics and policy, we suggest that the material focus of archaeology offers a unique perspective on marine pollution that can help mitigate this problem, highlight the impact of behavioural change and effectively slow the leakage of plastic into the environment
Material culture exists on the surface, literally and conceptually (Harrison 2011; it should be noted how plastic is increasingly present within sedimentary deposits (e.g. Zalasiewicz et al 2016; Mytum & Meek 2021). It is from this present- and future-oriented position, while incorporating the perspectives of marine biology, policy and politics, that we focus our investigation on single-use, plastic protective equipment (PPE)
Summary
Archaeological methods and perspectives can be applied to the material traces of human behaviour from all periods, including the present. An increase in discarded masks recorded by Jones in June probably relates to the World Health Organization’s decision on 5 June to recommend the general public use of facemasks Only indicative, these data demonstrate how social media can provide an in-depth perspective on, and direct testimonies of, material culture. It is perhaps in this context that an archaeological perspective built around both the prevalence (being widespread) and the resilience (being long-lasting, and creating an archaeological record) of this material culture can be most persuasive in shaping new policies and helping to prepare for, and navigate pathways through, future (e.g. environmental) crises From this perspective alone, archaeologists need to be more involved in the public debate on plastic pollution in order to inform policy decisions further. The first step is for archaeologists to increase their collaboration with policy specialists, government decision-makers (working with government agencies directly) and industry
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