- Rebecca Dunham, Senior Archaeologist, Atlantic Region, IACH, Parks Canada
Many coastal areas are subject to climate change impacts such as increased frequency and intensity of storms, rising water levels, and warming conditions (loss of sea ice dampening effect, softer banks during winter months). Coastal lands are also affected by efforts to mitigate climate change impacts such as the installation of hard barriers that deflect energy or starve downstream sediment flow.
Archaeological sites are often positioned near waterways, as these were the highways of yesteryear, and many communities and organizations are trying to figure out what to do about threatened cultural sites in the coastal zone while there is still time – while there is still a chance to rescue or preserve elements of their heritage.
As archaeologists, we work with large organizations and community groups alike. We are in the field facing the problems, seeing the damage, the distressed communities, and the urgency of the situation. We are also at the boardroom meetings discussing costs, relative values, risk analyses, and business priorities. We conduct impact assessments and offer mitigation solutions, monitor shoreline changes, map and document impacts and loss, record and collect dislodged artifacts, and help communities deal with impacts as they occur. Archaeologists are heavily involved in this problem yet we are not well versed in solutions.
How can we better equip ourselves to respond to these situations? – by being informed and aware of the options available, being aware of what works and doesn’t work in given areas, and by sharing this knowledge with others.
This session will include papers that address three themes:
- Acquiring knowledge and finding direction (informed decision-making) – research, triage, prioritization, policy guidance, communication.
- Action – real-world experiences, the nuts & bolts of how to carry out protective measures, understanding site-specific variables
- Lessons learned, guidance, knowledge sharing.