Climate-Induced Hurricane Risks and Heritage Preservation in Southwest Florida: A Case Study of Hurricane Ian's Impact on Pineland Archaeological Site Complex

Summary

This is an abstract from the "*SE Hope for the Future: A Message of Resiliency from Archaeological Sites in South Florida" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Climate change is intensifying hurricanes, posing increased disaster risks. These risks encompass various factors, from physical to attitudinal, magnifying their impact. Hurricane Ian's impact on Southwest Florida in September 2022 underlines these challenges, particularly for archaeological mounds. Southwest Florida hosts numerous archaeological mounds, which are one of the most important resources for studying past groups in South Florida and past adaptations to a changing climate, placing them at climate-related risk. One notable site is the Pineland Archaeological Site Complex in Bokeelia, FL, which carries importance as a major town of the native Calusa people, characterized by extensive shell mound complexes and water features. To safeguard sites like Pineland from natural hazards, Disaster Risk Management Plans (DRM) not only aim to protect heritage but also enhance resilience and reduce disaster risks. This paper briefly discusses Hurricane Ian's impact on Southwest Florida’s archaeological sites and the Florida Public Archaeology Network’s post-hurricane assessments. We use the Pineland case study to illustrate the development of a DRM draft plan, underlining the critical significance of preparedness and risk reduction strategies to safeguard our heritage in the context of climate-induced challenges.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• *SE Hope for the Future: A Message of Resiliency from Archaeological Sites in South Florida   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 40057.0