Scientists Propose a New Marker for the Anthropocene: Chickens

D-brief
By Nathaniel Scharping
Dec 12, 2018 12:01 AMMay 21, 2019 5:45 PM
chickens
Behold! The herald of the Anthropocene. (Credit: Moonborne/Shutterstock)

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

Imagine an archaeological dig far in the future. Scientists are excavating a site somewhere in what was once North America, peeling back layers of dirt in search of the remnants of a vanished civilization. Millions of years having passed, there’s not much left, and the archaeologists must be diligent. But, as they scrape and sift, clues to this vanished people emerge, a peephole into a bygone culture.

What objects would these future archaeologists find? What specimens would they dust off, label and send to labs for analysis; what items from the present day would sit on museum shelves?

0 free articles left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

0 free articlesSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

Stay Curious

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and unlock one more article for free.

 

View our Privacy Policy


Want more?
Keep reading for as low as $1.99!


Log In or Register

Already a subscriber?
Find my Subscription

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Shop Now
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2024 Kalmbach Media Co.