To Let Sink or Swim: Evaluating Coastal Archaeological Resource Stability Through a System of Indices

Summary

Archaeological resources in the coastal zone are subjected to a variety of cultural, social, and environmental conditions that affect the resources’ stability, which can be defined in physical (e.g. structure, geophysical environment), socio-cultural (e.g. looting, vandalism), and regulatory (e.g. federal, state, and local mandates) terms. To effectively manage resources within this dynamic environment requires a holistic understanding of what drives stability (or instability) at each site. The systematic development of indices for archaeological stability aggregates a large number of complex conditions, both drivers and pressures, into a smaller set of key indicators that can be used to evaluate site stability, and to monitor changes over time. This system of indices provides an integrated framework for evaluation of regional resources that allows for adaptive management and the prioritization of resources. 

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Ocean Literacy: Communicating Climate Change, Preservation, and Conservation through Archaeology   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2018

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 243