palimpsest

A manuscript on which earlier writing has been erased and overwritten; something reused or altered but bearing visible traces of its earlier form.

• (no common derivatives)

• cultural palimpsest
• urban palimpsest
• palimpsest of history
• palimpsest of memories

1. 1.The city is a palimpsest of different eras, with Roman walls beneath medieval churches beneath modern offices. (layers of history)
2. 2.Her face was a palimpsest of emotions — grief showing through the practiced smile. (traces of earlier states visible beneath)

• (no direct synonyms; the concept of layered overwriting is unique)

from Greek "palimpsestos" — palin (again) + psestos (rubbed smooth) — scraped clean and written upon again