LAY OF THE LAND

Dealing With Global Warming

Warming of the earth is accelerating despite much anguish but little action to limit or reverse it. Sea levels are rising and higher temperatures and droughts result in more and more severe wildfires. In this issue of American Archaeology (see “The Threat Of Climate Change,” page 19) we examine how global warming is affecting archaeological resources, and what can be done about it.

In coastal areas, archaeologists are aggressively surveying important sites that are being threatened by coastal erosion. Protecting these sites with sea walls and other structures is incredibly expensive and often impractical. An alternative is to salvage information from them before they are washed away, but this flies in the face of conservation archaeology that demands preserving information in situ. Nonetheless, salvage of coastal sites may well be the only practical policy available.

Some of the Conservancy’s preserves are already being threatened, and we are seeking ways to preserve the information in them. For example, a small Conservancy preserve in Maine has been eroding into the ocean for a number of years. Local archaeologists have been working with us to sample the Archaic-period deposits as they are being exposed by the sea. Thus, much of the information is saved. It’s not a totally satisfactory solution, but it’s the best we have for now.

In some places it may be possible to cover the coastal deposits with large rocks (rip-rap) to protect sites from

Mark Michel, President

the rising waters. This is expensive and probably won’t last too long without constant improvements. Government agencies, as well as the Conservancy, are looking for solutions, but as long as sea levels continue to rise, they are going to be imperfect and expensive. It’s a serious problem that promises to be with us for years to come.

Join our Monthly Giving Program

Make your gift to the Conservancy go even further by joining our monthly giving program, the Friends of the Conservancy. Donors provide continuous support of our preservation efforts, and also reduce fundraising expenses by eliminating the need to send paper renewals and appeals. Make a real difference in the race to protect cultural heritage sites across the country. When you participate in our monthly giving program: • Your membership will automatically renew each year, ensuring that you won’t miss an issue of American Archaeology. • You will also receive a special end of year thank you gift annually. • You are in charge – set your donation amount and change it at any time. Become a Friend of the Conservancy Today!

Please visit to join: https://give.archaeologicalconservancy.org/give/200380/#!/donation/checkout