Protecting the Past From the Future: The Effects of Climate Change on Archaeological Sites in Louisiana's Coastal Zone

Summary

Archaeological sites around the world are threatened by the effects of climate change.  Oceans are encroaching inland due to sea level rise, with daily tides and waves imperiling coastal archaeological sites.  Inland torrential rains can lead to flooding and higher temperatures can lead to droughts that kill off vegetation, both of which can expose middens and other subsurface features to erosion.  This paper will focus on Louisiana’s coastal zone; current impacts to archaeological sites from rising sea levels and subsidence; and the predicted effects of climate change to the state’s coastal zone, including archaeological sites, over the next 50 years if no action is taken to combat the changing forces of nature.  The author will also briefly discuss personal experience with the 2016 flood.  The intent of this paper is to lay the groundwork for a dialogue on worldwide impacts of climate change to cultural heritage in future symposia.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2018   •
• What We Don’t Know Can Hurt Us: The Intersection of Archaeology and Public Awareness of Climate Change Impacts

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 925