AA-2026-FEF048
On the image
The vertical grooves etched into this substantial hillside suggest either serious geological forces or a particularly diligent excavator operator with a love for repetitive patterns. Either way, a significant volume of material has been displaced, leaving behind a stark, textured landscape.
In the 1970s, moving earth on this scale was often considered progress, a sign of industry and human capability. The aesthetic outcome, which today might be called "reclaimed nature," was likely a secondary, or even tertiary, concern.
The hill now simply presents its sculpted face, a quiet testament to the impermanence of rock and soil, and perhaps the optimism of an era that thought nothing of rearranging the planet for its immediate needs. It continues to erode, as it always has, and always will.
The historian's note
This image depicts an excavated hillside, possibly a sand and gravel quarry or a large-scale earthmoving project, characterized by distinct vertical striations and visible geological layering. The lack of significant vegetation suggests a relatively recent disturbance of the terrain.
Such sites were prevalent during the 1970s, a period marked by extensive infrastructure development, highway construction, and urban expansion. These activities often required substantial amounts of aggregate materials, leading to the creation of large-scale excavations across various landscapes.
The visible stratification within the earth highlights different sediment deposits, providing a cross-section of the local geology exposed by human or natural forces.
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Visually related — by likeness
Textured Hillside, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-FEF048. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/textured-hillside-1970s.
@misc{aaAA2026FEF048,
title = {Textured Hillside, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-FEF048},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/textured-hillside-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Textured Hillside, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-FEF048 UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/textured-hillside-1970s ER -
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