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Preservation - What Preserves Underground? - Video

Breaking It Down: What Preserves Underground?

What does--and doesn't--preserve at archaeological sites in the Upper Midwest? Many factors affect the survival of items that are discarded or placed in the ground. MVAC Research Intern Cindy Kocik discusses some important factors and their effects on artifacts and ecofacts (plant, animal, and other biological remains related to human activity) at archaeological sites. She also touches on conditions in which materials that usually decay sometimes preserve.

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MVAC Educational Programs are supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these programs do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities. This project was supported in part by the National Science Foundation. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Foundation.