Partially decayed organic matter found in wetlands, used as fuel or soil conditioner. A brown, carbon-rich material formed from compressed plant matter over thousands of years.
From Medieval Latin peta, possibly from Celtic origins related to piece or lump. The word entered English through medieval trade in this valuable fuel source, especially important in treeless regions.
Peat bogs preserve organic material so well that 2,000-year-old 'bog bodies' emerge perfectly preserved, complete with skin and clothing. These wetland archives store more carbon than all the world's forests combined, making them crucial in climate regulation.
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