Electronic waste or e-waste describes discarded electrical or electronic devices. Used electronics which are destined for refurbishment, reuse, resale, salvage recycling through material recovery, or disposal are also considered e-waste. Informal processing of e-waste in developing countries can lead to adverse human health effects and environmental pollution.
I think Percy wrote this so the current and future colonists would have a record of life in Jamestown in the beginning, so that they could learn from those who came before them
