Alley Cats: Week 6 update

Decided as a group to change our methodology stance.  We implemented this by recovering different artifacts that displayed staggered visits to the site based on day, night, and morning visits to the zone.  We started to find a wide range of artifacts due to this change made within the project such as lunch materials in the afternoons versus beer cans and bottles in the evenings.  Some other things we ended up changing were participant observation times to gain better knowledge of what exactly the public was doing within the zone.  We observed a delivery driver from Food services of America (FSA) dropping off food items to the sororities and fraternities.  Some of these items consisted milk products, vegetables, and meats of all sorts.  We started to realize patterning of certain artifacts such as cigarettes that were reoccurring in the same areas of the zone when we would go collected for the day or night.  This will help us gain a better understanding of our interpretation of who might be doing this and we then may be able to present solution to the litter and debris problem within the zone.  Eventually we will be able to make our graphs based on the information obtained throughout the course of this project and show a strong correlation between the artifacts and the residential population.

David

Alley Data Cont…

Our total artifact count is 296 items… Not a whole lot, but there is enough to work with I think. Here is what some of the graphs look like:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There has been more of a focus on recycling potentiality and activities represented by artifacts found in the alley. Eating, smoking, and drinking alcohol are the largest categories and it is not uncommon for these activities to occurr simultaneously. While the portion of the alley within the zone boundaries is not the primary location where these activites are taking place, it is nevertheless seeing the effects. 52% of the artifacts picked up were light enough to be carried by wind. 83% of the light artifacts were found at the curb supporting the notion that they were in fact influenced by the wind.      Having established that much of these artifacts may have very likely been deposited by wind into their observed location, the original deposition is left for questioning. Dumpsters seem the most likely candidate as the majority of our artifacts have been found within 10 feet of a dumpster. However, the nature of the noted activities that have contributed most to our sample suggest a cultural cause of original depostion, rather than a natural one (where trash would be blown out of the dumpsters.   Our zone is unique in that for approx. 30 feet of its length it is lined with curbs that rise about 10 cm. high, and buildings, such as the SUB that must be around 20 feet tall or so. This would seem to imply that debris in the alley (at least in the northern portion) could have only entered by way of  the wind or on-site deposition.

 

L

Moscow, Idaho/Dec. 8

With this, my third blog, I will finish discussing our class’s term project, Waste Not, Want Not (WNWN). Here, I am thinking about why and how my associates and I proceeded.

For a time, many people accepted the fact that the sun revolves around the earth. Isn’t it obvious when you watch the sun move while you stand still? Much else that we see anywhere is obvious, but now and then the picture may change in light of additional information.

On the other hand, belief does not need information. Still, my individual experience suggests to me that it often helps. The first question my three-student team faced was where we should look in order that we might help to shed light on campus trash (CT). Where to try to matter?

Please note that I did not refer to CT as a “problem”. I have also learned year by year that ideas flow more freely in a space less cluttered with conclusions. All things considered (that we could think of to start with), our crew chose to examine a well-landscaped section on the north side.

At this time, the WNWN project is nearly completed in its present cycle though when we began, the situation of trash on our campus (as a complete picture) was nearly invisible to us. Then, a problem became apparent the first time we went out to work at our team-designated trash zone.

I do not believe people are pigs yet it was hard to not think so while we commenced to pick up trash strewn all over what was intended to be a pristine section of campus. A grassy swale lies along the edge of the lawn in front of the university’s very stylish Student Recreation Center (SRC). That’s a juxtaposition that must have exaggerated our perception of willful wastage.

Also, the wind here frequently blows strong and steady. Across the swale, upwind and opposite from the SRC, a series of twelve dumpsters stand behind dormitories all along the swale. That trash is not well contained, usually not bagged securely, and the dumpster lids are generally always left open. The swale creates an effective trash net by catching what the wind throws.

The swale’s grass is deliberately not cut, left to grow several feet high and bear flowery heads. By design, it should make the prettiest of vistas. However, the volume of trash not held securely in the dumpsters, which is borne by the wind, has an affinity for that deep, luxuriant grass. What can be done? There are compound issues here but I will merely touch upon only two now.

The appearance of the swale, ordained as a type of primeval environment, is at stake with the ample litter generated by the nearby dumpsters. Immediately, and perhaps effectively, our class could prevail upon the dumpster users to change their behavior just a little. That is, to firmly tie up bagged trash, place nothing else into the dumpsters and (everyone) keep dumpster lids closed.

As for the composition of our whole university’s trash at the dawn of the millennium, there is a lot more work yet to be done before effective, long-term changes can be implemented. To me, our project, WNWN, now only ninety days old, is one small step. Continual study of this sort and integrated with related studies here and beyond, since 1973, can potentially lead to major shifts in waste, which infers consumption, which infers physical sustainability as well as happiness.

Well, that’s all from me for I know not how long. Next week, the fall semester ends with final examinations and along with it, my involvement in the current project. Until another time, I am Your Archaeologist, Tom, signing off.

Moscow, Idaho/Dec. 1

This blog relates to our class project, Waste Not, Want Not (WNWN).  Now, I want to briefly review the organization of our class before going on to catch a glimpse of the larger society in which you probably dwell together with me.

 

The first day this class met this fall, the professor had us students arrange ourselves into teams of fewer than five members each.  The one I belong to includes three.

 

Together our team chose an area of campus to which to devote ourselves.  Next, we decided to call our group “An/Archae” (pronounced the same as “anarchy”).  Certainly a good play on words, it’s a name that happens to be pregnant with meaning for serious students of anthropology and archaeology — that we are, of course.

 

From my perspective, what archaeology particularly offers is knowledge of human material.  That’s basically it, though there’s far more to archaeology than only that.  Further, where the material of our lives is concerned, the present is potentially more important than the past.  I say that because there is more that we can yet do about the present.

 

What may have been the original archaeology of contemporary trash began in 1973.  The WNWN effort in which I now participate is derived from that research.  Among the local benefits I expect from the present work should be a more conscious awareness among the university community about what is being thrown away, and of how it is disposed.  Then globally, we may also indirectly contribute to more wise utilization of material resources.    

 

In the last entry, my first, I meant to introduce myself and this WNWN project.  This time, I wanted to talk about people, since they are the main thing for anthropology/archaeology.  In the next number, my conclusion, I will address steps we have taken, and plan to take, as a class this semester.  Thank you for your attention; I sincerely look forward to sharing with you once more.

 

Well, that’s all from me for this week.  As I just noted, there is one more entry to post for your reading pleasure, if not also your use.  Until later, I am Your Archaeologist, Tom, signing off.

Alley Data

Hello everyone…

Just an update on how the alley data is coming along. We have not managed to get everyone’s artifacts together on the catalogue but the categories we have chosen as of yet are:

Food/Grocery Associated, example: loaf of bread, Winco coffee bag

Food/Snack Associated, example: candy bar wrapper, lolly pops

Non-Food item used for food or non-alcoholic drink, example: plastic spoon, napkins

Personal/Health or Grooming, example: bar of soap, contact lens box

Alcohol related, example: beer cans

Tobacco related, example: cigarette butts, cigar wrappers

 

These categories reflect the types of trash we have been finding. We are also categorizing artifacts based on whether or not they were light enough to be blown by the wind, whether they were found in the center of the alley or at the curbs, and if there are any perceived changes to the artifact that may have occurred after its original deposition, such as being scratched, flattened, crumpled or dirty. Wind has had a significant effect on the provenience of items in the alley and it’s patterns have been well documented. Likewise, cars moving through the alley have created artificial winds that work in the same way as the winds do. If we can ever get all of the artifacts into the catalogue we may be able to use the wind’s effect as a basis for how long an artifact has been in the alley.

 

L

Data Analysis — Finally

We’ve finished collecting for the year and are now facing the daunting task of cataloging and analyzing all this data. The group has decided on a uniform classification for the artifacts collected which makes analyzing so much easier. We appear to have collected over 600 artifacts over the course of the semester.

Our cataloging system involves nine major categories, Drink Container, Food Package, General Paper, Miscellaneous, Smoking Paraphernalia, Packaging, Packing Material, Receipt and Shopping Bag. Two of these categories are further subdivided. Drink Containers are broken down into Alcohol Containers, Sports Drinks, Water Bottle and Others most of which consist of fast food take-out cups, soda bottles and coffee cups with the occasional unknown drink container. Food packages are broken down into Health Food, Junk Food, Gum, Mints and Foods that require preparation. Health Food would be granola bars, energy bars or any sort of fruit. Junk Food was broken down further into Fast Food, Candy and everything else. Mints were added by me due to the amazing amount of single mint packages I found during collection. They are all identical, clear packaging with blue lettering that says “Starlight Mints”. They appear to be a popular choice of after-dinner mints offered by Moscow restaurants. They may be available in the student dining areas, research has yet to be conducted on this.

Alley Cats out of the Alley

With this last weeks BSU vs UI festivities done, the collecting has now officially ended for the Alley Cats and now the long process of cataloging hundreds of artifacts begins.

 

 On a quick side note last week I saw a street sweeper actually cleaning our zone. This is interesting because it seems that the alley way was cleaned up not because of a problem with trash, but to clean up the overwhelming amount of leaves that cover the alley. I found this particularly interesting, because it took a seasonal change of leaves falling in the alleyway for something to be done with the issue of trash in our zone…or maybe they got wind of what we were doing with the project and decided to save face…probably not but regardless the alleyway was the cleanest I have ever seen it.

 

So now the long process of cataloging hundreds of artifacts begins. So far no big problems have occurred, it will just be a vary time consuming task. Once the catalog is finished then we as a group and look at definitive data to approach are research question; further looking for better ways of improving on the issue of trash in our zone.

Moscow, Idaho/Nov. 17

Right off the bat, I want you to know two facts about me and this Web Log.  I have never before contributed to such a venue of mass media.  In addition, I am deliberately maintaining a sort of blog blindness in order to ensure that my remarks are my own.

 

In other words, to that purpose, I am not reading entries made by any other member of my cohort.  I hope that this may make the blog more interesting for you overall and I am happy to leave it to you to assiduously read all of the rest for yourselves.

 

This text is offered in support of a one-semester course in archaeological method and theory, a class composed almost exclusively of master’s degree candidates and senior undergraduates.  The project to which this pertains is called Waste Not, Want Not (WNWN), a study intended to identify patterns of trash on our own college campus.

 

If you are reading this, I expect that you came here either because you already know of our WNWN project or else you stumbled across this through an internet search.  In either case, I am writing with you in mind, asking myself what would appeal to you.

 

It occurs to me at this point to say something more about what I am doing beyond this immediate context.  My major is anthropology, specializing in archaeology.  My purpose is to make better sense of the world around me — for the sake of myself and others.

 

As I see it, this is one place in which we all exist.  Moreover, it seems there are lasting effects from how we each live.  So it may behoove us to be attentive about what happens.

 

Well, that’s all from me for this week.  Next, it is the Thanksgiving break for us students.  Until the first of December, I am Your Archaeologist, Tom, signing off.

Filter Unit: Further work and Possibilities

We have essentially finished our collecting, due to the worsened weather and to the fact that we already have an extremely large amount of trash as it stands. At the beginning of our project, we did not assume that the cataloguing process would be so tedious. As stated in an earlier blog, for cigarette cataloguing, we are focusing primarily on the brand, the sub-zone discovered and the potential method that was used to “put it out.” We are not focusing so much on the amount that has consumed of the cigarette, even though we are stating whole un-smoked and smoked fragments. We do not think there is much we could learn from this and we have not seen any clear patter, to convince us otherwise.

As I have stated in an earlier post, we have condensed our cigarettes into subgroups, giving us almost 300 separate catalogue numbers. We have catalogued over half to date. We are uncertain of the exact amount of individual cigarettes we have, but it is likely be around double the amount of catalogue numbers, for cigarettes.

We are currently uncertain about how we should catalogue the non-cigarette artifacts. First, we conceited to not even include these items, but we think we can determine some site use practices at the Library Quad, through many of these items. Also, we can have a good understanding of the post depositional processes here, and we can learn what type of artifacts are more representative of being in place of initial deposition. Also, we have found many non-cigarette items that can be related to smoking, such as matches, match boxes and cigarette boxes. This may also tell us something about smoking practices at our zone. We still do not know if we should catalogue non-cigarette items separately, or bunch up, like items. Generic items without labels, we might group together if they came from the same sub-sub-zone, like matches, paper or wrapper fragments with no markings. Items with labels we may catalogue seperatly, because, we can learn about the manufacturer and potentially learn more.

In all Bottle Caps Forgotten….

Howdy collectors!

Have you ever noticed that when engaging in littering it is a lot more acceptable for our conscience when the trash at hand is small (especially when under the influence)?  One can easily discard a bubble gum wrapper or flick a butt without being noticed.  However, if one chucks a soda bottle from a moving vehicle the action would be incorrigible to onlookers….

I raise this point because of its pertinence to Area 57.  We have become aware that tailgaters are trashy people (no kidding…).  They leave SOLO cups, beer bottles and cans and other evidence of their festive behavior in our sacred gravel lot.  But, at some point after a tailgating party and before the next celebratory gathering in this parking lot, most of the trash DISAPPEARS!  Whether it is the magical trash fairy or some benevolent trash collector that clears the blemishes from the littered landscape is a moot point.  The critical point however, are the SMALL THINGS FORGOTTEN:  cigarette butts, beer tabs, plastic cigar holders, plastic champagne corks and bottle caps!

My fixation with the wee specks of trash has manifested itself in the collection of bottlecaps (butts aren’t as colorful or decorative).  To date, I have gathered 30 types of caps.  Who would’ve thought that Vandal tailgaters were such a sophisticated crowd of beer drinkers.  Although I wouldn’t exact call these folks beer snobs;  a large portion of the caps are COORS lite, Rolling Rock and BUD light Lime.

Further investigations have revealed that there are a lot of dorks (like myself, but not archaeologists) on the internet that collect bottle caps.  These websites are a great resource for classifying my precious bottlecaps………….

-Wendolina