Global Climate Change Is Slowly Destroying Many Archaeological Sites

Global climate change is putting pressure on one of science’s earliest fields of discovery: archaeology. Scientists say drought and other climate change impacts are undermining their ability to protect and document important sites before they degrade or disappear.

Desertification can wear down ancient ruins. It could also hide them under the dunes. As a result, researchers are scrambling to keep track of where they’re buried. Researchers from Europe, Asia, Australia, North and Latin America released four papers on how the effects of the global climate change are destroying archaeological environments.

“Global climate change is accelerating, amplifying existing risks and creating new ones. As a result, the consequences could be devastating for the global archaeological record”, writes Jørgen Hollesen, a senior researcher at the National Museum of Denmark.

Extreme weather causes an impossibility of researching shipwrecks. Also, coastal sites are particularly at risk from erosion. Hollessen also writes there is a huge erosion of sites from different places. From Iran to Scotland, Florida to Rapa Nui and beyond.

Archaeologists Are Left Out From Fighting For the Preservation

On the other hand, Cathy Daly of the University of Lincoln, studied the inclusion of cultural sites in the climate adaptation plans of low- and middle-income countries. Although 17 of the 30 countries surveyed include heritage or archaeology in their plans, only three mention specific actions to be carried out.

“The study demonstrates that local adaptation plans are underway in some countries. Those countries are Nigeria, Colombia and Iran,” Hollesen writes. “However, there is a disconnect between global climate change policymakers and the cultural heritage sector worldwide. This shows lack of knowledge, coordination, recognition and funding.”

According to Daly and her colleagues: “Global climate change is a shared challenge. The best route to solutions will undoubtedly be a shared path.”

 

There are global efforts in trying to combat and adapt to global climate change. On the other hand, Hollesen says heritage sectors and archaeologists are often left out of the planning. However, there are ways for environmental work and archeology to not only co-exist but help with each other’s preservation.

 

 

Researchers say they hope their findings emphasize the need for not only concrete planning, but immediate action to preserve the world’s history. “I’m not saying we are going to lose everything within the next two years. But, we need these artifacts and archaeological sites to tell us about the past. It’s like a puzzle, and we’re losing some of the pieces”, he said.