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shirt-to-dirt gallery

See the visual data we've collected so far!

Simple science version

Malia

Simple Science

2 weeks

East Lansing
Michigan
Simple Science
Aug 31, 2023

One side was significantly more deteriorated than the other, which had only a little decomposition. There were some baby worms in the linen. I took a quick picture without washing the linen and put it back in the ground.

Katrina

Simple Science

4 weeks

Madison
Wisconsin
Simple Science
Aug 29, 2023

Nothing was there!

Janet

Simple Science

Just buried!

Belden
Mississippi
Simple Science
Aug 28, 2023

Buried in new pollinator area. Bermuda grass killed this summer with clear plastic (yuk) and sunshine (yay)!
I love this project, btw.

Janice

Simple Science

4 weeks

Greenville
South Carolina
Simple Science
Aug 27, 2023

The soil was dry and easy to sift. I felt like I was digging for buried treasure. That’s what I found. A tiny little jewel of linen at 4 weeks! Because the pieces are buried close together, I doubt if I find anything during the final weeks.

Dana

Simple Science

4 weeks

Lodi
Wisconsin
Simple Science
Aug 27, 2023

Week 4! Really had to sift to find this. Might have missed very small pieces ... cocoa bean mulch is tricky trying to find tiny linen pieces. I might find emptiness for weeks 6 and 8.

Sandra

Simple Science

Just buried!

Savannah
Georgia
Simple Science
Aug 27, 2023

Buried in newly assembled raised planter approx 14"sq in purchased potting soil mix.

Sheila

Simple Science

4 weeks

Sandy Hook
Connecticut
Simple Science
Aug 26, 2023

Wow what a change from week 2. Looks nibbled on and more brittle. Weather has been a bit dryer. See you in 2 weeks

Sheila

Simple Science

2 weeks

Sandy Hook
Connecticut
Simple Science
Aug 12, 2023

Posting late as I dug up my book and square then went away for a week. Some color changes but still intact.

Barbara

Buried Meditation Book

8 weeks

Colorado
Buried Meditation Book
Aug 25, 2023

My book shows some decomposition but over all in good shape. I was expecting more deterioration due to rain and moist soil.

Christin

Simple Science

Just buried!

Hadley
New York
Simple Science
Aug 21, 2023

Elizabeth

Simple Science

8 weeks

MORRISON
Colorado
Simple Science
Aug 16, 2023

Stacy

Simple Science

6 weeks

Fremont
California
Simple Science
Aug 24, 2023

This was in a raised bed in our garden. The bed was also home to baby pumpkin plants that were planted in the other half of the bed. As with week 4, there was nothing left! We buried a t-shirt as well and it is getting brittle and some discoloration.

Simple science
Linen biodegredation project
Buried Books

buried meditation books

Jacqueline

8 weeks

Collingswood
New Jersey
August 16, 2023

This is it! Just a little fabric left and the clay face. I reburied the fabric and took the face inside so I can make a doll with her. What an experience! It has me questioning everything. What does it mean to make? To own? And also, what do I want to make things from? I paint, and I’ve started using more handmade watercolor and less acrylic paint because pigment and natural binder and water feels a lot closer to linen if you know what I mean. Something that can return to earth.

Annie

2 weeks

O'Fallon
Illinois
August 15, 2023

Fall vibes are hitting hard. Have had some good consistent rainy days.

Barbara

6 weeks

Thornton
Colorado
August 12, 2023

Almost gone - in 2 weeks only the twig will remain

Barb

6 weeks

Aromas
California
August 10, 2023

Week 6 and although I found it, it's still falling apart. Some pages seem to be totally gone, but the layers are still there.

Janet

4 weeks

Houston
Texas
August 5, 2023

It has not rained in a while. The ground around the book had 3/4” cracks in the soil. Not much has changed in the condition of the book.

Lisa

6 weeks

Auburn
Alabama
August 4, 2023

I found 2 worms while digging up the book. The front cover is about gone and the back cover is dissolving along with the card stock my prayer was written on (slipped into the back cover pocket. I am sharing a picture of the back cover.

Emma

6 weeks

Oconomowoc
Wisconsin
August 1, 2023

It's been dry here with a couple heavy storms in the past two weeks while the book has been back underground. It's been pretty hot, in the upper 80's and 90's.

Beverly

2 weeks

Granby
Connecticut
August 2, 2023

We had some torrential rain in the last two weeks, but it’s been mild and fairly dry for the last four days. The book seems intact still.

Barbara

6 weeks

West Hills
California
August 2, 2023

Lots of bugs tucked inside the pages . No actual holes yet. It is extremely dry and hot here is Southern Ca.

Barbara

6 weeks

San Antonio
Texas
August 2, 2023

The leaf has completely decomposed that was on page two. I finally figured out how to add multiple photos to this upload. 🤣

Michelle

6 weeks

Eastlake
Ohio
August 2, 2023

Moist soil, equal days of sun and rain. Buried near bird feeders and an azalea bush.

Jacqueline

6 weeks

Collingswood
New Jersey
August 2, 2023

We are still having a wet summer. Very hot and humid temps over the last 2 weeks (95!), and cooler (80s) these past few days. The book is almost gone. Pages are unable to be turned without pulling fibers away. They feel sort of spongy. Not like what I’m used to fabric feeling like.

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