Trenches are long, narrow depressions in the ground that can be natural or man-made. They have been used for fortifications, agriculture, utilities, and archaeology. Ocean trenches are the deepest and can host unique animals.
A trench is a long depression in the ground that is deeper than it is wide, with a width significantly less than its length. Trenches can be built artificially for a variety of purposes and also occur in nature. Essentially, a trench is an oversized ditch, with some trenches having a few extra features.
In nature, trenches are most abundant in the ocean, where they are known as ocean trenches. Oceanic trenches are formed by the deformation, folding and spreading of the seafloor and some of them can become extremely deep. In the case of abyssal trenches such as the Mariana Trench, even oceanic trenches can sometimes host interesting and distinctive animals. Natural trenches on land are formed through a variety of processes, in some cases eroding and expanding to turn into valleys and other large natural features.
Humans have been building trenches for a variety of purposes for thousands of years. One of the first uses of the trench is in fortifications for warfare, as investigations at some archaeological sites have revealed. Trenches have also been used in agriculture to carry water for irrigation. Trenches continue to be used for these purposes in many regions of the world. Trenches are also used to create fences and dividing lines between fields.
Trenches are also dug for the purpose of installing utilities. Keeping gas, electric, and telephone lines underground reduces clutter above ground, with earth serving as natural insulation. Utility workers can also dig search trenches to determine the location of utility lines if they’re not exactly sure where to look. Road operators often dig search trenches to determine the precise location of underground services, which is why they periodically tear out chunks of road, spray paint obscure marks, and then replace sections again.
Archaeologists also use trenches in their work. In order to investigate the sites in an orderly fashion, archaeological teams start by sinking a series of shallow trenches, then slowly work their way down, scouring the ground as they go in search of artifacts. Creating archaeological trenches can be a painstaking process, as the goal is to preserve as much of the site as possible while discovering it and making notes of where the artifacts are found. Many archaeological sites bear evidence of multiple civilizations simply building on top of each other, making it crucial to keep the layers of a site separate so as not to confuse where artifacts came from.
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