Archaeology disaster: 2,000 bits of plastic found at Wales's iconic Iron Age village

All of this, the researchers believe, is the impact unwitting children can have on the environment.

Chocolate wrappers, drink cartons, plastic straws and pre-packaged foods – all hallmarks of the lunches parents prepare for their children.

Professor Mytum said: “The plastic creates an archaeological signature of our time, but one which is environmentally damaging.

“That plastic will enter the ecological cycle and have wider implications.

“If all this material was recycled, it would not be represented archaeologically but would help save the planet ecologically.”