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NEWS > SCIENCE > ARCHAEOLOGISTS DECLARE THE 1970’S THE WOOD AGE
ARCHAEOLOGISTS DECLARE THE 1970’S THE WOOD AGE
September 19 2009
Boston, MA – For nearly two centuries archaeologists have used a simple and now common system for describing the various periods of human prehistory. Termed the ‘three-age system’, the Stone, Bronze, and Iron ages are some of the most widely
known archaeological terms across the world. Though the utilization of the terms has varied throughout their history, the leap into the mainstream vernacular has ensured that they will remain a part of common discourse and the science of archaeology for many years to come.
Now the Archaeological Institute of America, realizing perhaps the mindshare captured by such terms, has begun isolating modern eras of evolution and change. Specifically the institute will categorize the most eventful century in human history and attempt to provide an accurate description for each decade. Though many names are under consideration, the Institute has firmly settled on one era. Officially, the 1970’s will be known as the Wood Age, due in large part to the prevalence of wood paneling on walls, televisions, and virtually every other device that would accept such treatment. Now with one decade out of the way the Institute will set about assessing each decade on their individual merits.
“The Wood Age was as simple a call as any we’ve ever had. Archaeologists debate a 
lot and very rarely do we ever agree on anything but in this case it was almost unanimous. There is nothing that defines the 70’s as clearly or as thoroughly as wood, specifically that dark brown veneer that so many people had pretty much everywhere,” said Institute spokesperson Dr. Ken Trabble. “No matter what decade our people are from they recognize the power and influence that wood and wood veneer had over that decade and all agreed that it was the principal characteristic of that era and would be the most accurate way to describe the period.”
Throughout the decade wood veneer made an appearance in virtually every aspect of domestic life. Everything from cars to refrigerators was decorated in the ubiquitous finish. By the start of the 1980’s that trend had more or less passed into Neon, a likely candidate for the name of that decade.
“Traditionally the ages have been defined not only be what people did but also how 
those doings, things like created Iron swords and armour, affected society at large. The Iron age is a great example of that. Those advances changed warfare, which changed borders, which changed ethnic and social diversity, which changed society as whole,” continued Trabble. “In Europe the Iron age unleashed Alexander the Great and the expansion of the Roman Empire. Those events fundamentally changed European society, created and spread democracy and paved the way for the modern success of that continent as well as the success of its offspring, the Americas. While the Wood age likely won’t have that kind of long term effect on the future of human society we do feel it is important to document these events and times in order to give structure to our collective history.”
Other areas of the world saw the rise of such ages at different times in their history though the same cannot be said for cultures of the modern era and their new ages.
“There has always been a great debate as to when these periods actually took place.
The Iron Age in the Near East took place well before it did in Europe though lasted for a much shorter period. The Wood Age in places like Egypt and Israel are only starting to appear now. This gap between developments has always been a struggle for Archaeology,” continued Trabble. “We’ve still not seen an equivalent in China for example but Japan went through that age at much the same time as the United States. That is due in part to increasing globalization of the world and cultures no longer being reliant on their neighbours for cultural influence. Now countries are influenced by kinship and level of sophistication rather than geography.”
Europe entered the Wood Age at the same time as the United States but through many areas of the continent the era continues long after its demise elsewhere.
Anna Phillips, Science Correspondent
NEWS > SCIENCE > ARCHAEOLOGISTS DECLARE THE 1970’S THE WOOD AGE
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