Composting is Truly a Tale as Old as Time

Some things never change or, at least, composting hasn’t. Turns out us composters are following in the footsteps of ancient farmers who understood the benefits of adding organic waste to their crops. To get an idea of just how far back it goes, here are a few facts about composting around the world in the olden days:

• The use of animal waste as fertilizer in Scotland dates as far back as the Stone Age.
• The first written record of composting can be found on clay tablets from the Akkadian Empire in Mesopotamia around 2,000 BCE.
• Ancient Mediterranean civilizations were known to compost agricultural scraps.
• The Aztecs used human feces and guano to fertilize their island farms, or Chinampas (check out the image below).
• Chinese farmers historically used “night soil” (human feces collected at night) on their farms.
• Native Americans wrapped seeds in fish pieces to add nutrients.
• George Washington built the USA’s first composting bin (read more here).

As you can see, composting is as old as, well, dirt, and is pretty much ubiquitous. However, you’ll also notice that the ancients primarily composted nitrogen-rich human and animal waste. We now know that a 1/3 green to 2/3 brown ratio is ideal for your compost bin, so don’t get too old school with your composting. Make sure you have enough carbon-rich materials like leaves and paper, and refrain from composting dog and cat poop (and human poop, for that matter). For the complete do's and don’ts of composting animal waste, see this post. 

In conclusion, the next time you’re turning your compost pile, remember all the composting pioneers of the past, and let’s be especially grateful to Cleopatra, who loved vermicomposting so much that she made the killing of earthworms punishable by death. Keep up the noble work, composters!

Guest blogger and infrequent history nerd: Abigail Miller