it's probably reductionist or lazy or whatever, but i have become somewhat hung up on the case that, with limited exception, human activities that break the cycle of biodegredation are the basis for our understanding of the sophistication of earlier cultures. even this giant pile of bones or evidence of the Pleistocene overkill. that very lengthy period before killing shitloads of animals in one place, moving giant fucking rocks really far from where they formed, and the fabrication of materials that do not return to the earth within a hundred years is hidden from inquiry and the subject of speculation. "these primitives, they didn't even quarry stone and build giant tombs!" it's easy to dismiss the era as unworthy of inquiry.

meanwhile, the bleeding, intellectual edge of engineering and technology today is so-called "green chemistry", which has general principles of zero waste and a circular/regenerative life cycle. because apparently, a mountain of single-use plastic and styrofoam garbage was not as inspired as it seemed to be.