If you thought throwaway culture was a modern phenomenon then think again. The British Museum recently unveiled a new display that considers the concern of rubbish, and what we can learn from what our ancestors threw away, including a disposable cup made around 3,500 years ago. This vessel was made on the island of Crete during the Minoan period, around 1700-1600 BC. The handleless design was mass-produced from clay, with thousands being discovered at archaeological sites, leading to the conclusion that they were designed for one-time use—probably for glugging a huge amount of wine during feasts. Other works on show include photographs that document the huge amount of plastic waste that has accumulated across the pacific, and a more contemporary version of single use crockery—the paper cup. Disposable? Rubbish and Us is at the British Museum until 23 February 2020.
