08 - Draining the Swamp (or, The Secret Soggy Story of Sphagnum)

We break away from the main chronology of the series a little bit, to zoom out and re-focus on one particular topic: how exactly, in the space of roughly 500 years, this empty swamp land was transformed into one of the most densely populated places on the planet. But in order to do that, we’re going to have to focus on one of the most underrated, and unappreciated of mother nature’s gifts. And that is something called sphagnum; more commonly known as peat moss. It's time to drain the swamp. Show notes: https://www.republicofamsterdamradio.com/episodes/historyofthenetherlands/episode-8-draining-the-swamp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices