Archaeologists' Health and Safety
For some time now I have been concerned over the number of diseases to which archaeologists can be exposed.
Do archaeologists receive adequate medical advice during their coursework? Can the microbiologists really confirm that there is no danger in handling decaying tissue and bone? Most archaeologists, on their own volition, arrange for tetanus injections, particularly if working in fen conditions, but that is about the limit of their care or concern.
What is the length of time microbes survive in the ground? Anthrax - how many farmers actually make a note of where they bury a contaminated horse or cow? The authorities should be notified, but who keeps these records anyway? The writer made inquiries, it seems records began in 1886 but are only kept for up to ten years from the present, and the exact burial spot is not formally noted - so up and down the country we have these concealed animal graves. There was certainly confusion in Cambridge in 1982 between the University and the City Council as to the whereabouts of an unmarked area used to bury the carcasses of twelve horses involved in anthrax experiments during the last war. If it was not for the fact that the piece of land was likely to be built on the burial site would have probably disappeared "in the mists of time". The City Council only learned of these burials when a member of the public telephoned a Council official. In October this year a new 'scare' was reported when one of the series of soil tests on the same site contained traces of anthrax and further tests have been ordered. The developers assured the public 'we are perfectly satisfied there is no health risk. We would not build and sell houses if there was'. I know of one estate owner, now deceased, who arranged for an anthrax contaminated cow to be placed in an ice-pit, then it was covered with quick lime, (which the Ministry says does not kill the spores) and the whole buried. The locality of this pit is now lost but it is situated somewhere in the grounds of a school. Long may it remain undisturbed.
How long do anthrax spores last? It seems for hundreds of years. A Ministry of Agriculture Veterinary Surgeon maintains archaeologists take considerable risks in excavating unknown sites and coming across animal bones.
There are a number of organisms that can affect animals and humans which can survive in the ground for many years. For example, Histoplasmosis infects people and bats by both the minute spore and sections of the mycelium known as Histoplasma Capsulatum. The spore grows mainly in the droppings of bats and birds, though the latter do not become infected. Bats are an endangered species and European countries are trying to increase their numbers. This will in turn increase the likely amount of guano. It is in the interests of all archaeologists, especially those who work on subterranean excavations, not to introduce this infection into underground space. All should be aware of the dangers of carrying bacteria or spores of disease on our clothes and in particular, on our boots. I always advise colleagues to disinfect their archaeological working clothes after use in suspect conditions.
In the West country there is the hazard of Radon. This is a radioactive gas which seeps up through the earth and accumulates in confined spaces. It has been known to cause certain forms of cancer. In November 1990, the National Radiological Protection Board published its survey on the effects of widespread Radon gas in Devon and Cornwall. In the report it was suggested that 60,000 houses, ancient and new, needed attention to reduce the risks of contamination. Then there is the little matter of the disposal of small quantities of radioactive material (not of course, the large highly contaminated material from reactors etc.) Where are these buried? The contamination may not last long but how long? Before 1960 research workers did not have to keep records of such minor burials. Old wells have often been used in the past for disposal of rubbish, which was generally made up of domestic refuse, however, today they have become, in some cases, the receptacles of discarded farm chemicals.
Some archaeologists are becoming more aware of possible dangers. Masks and gowns were donned for the unwrapping of H7386, the 3000 year old mummy in 1981 at Bristol. Masks and protective clothing were worn against the Bath Bug, a deadly meningitis producing amoeba that had been found in the Roman Bath site in 1979.
In the splendid television programme on this excavation we were shown an attendant, unmasked, hosing down the contaminated clothing etc.
Finally, my last question, where did this water go?
Sylvia Beamon