An Archaeological Erosion Story

Summary

This is an abstract from the session entitled "The Intersection Between Natural and Cultural Heritage and the Pressing Threats to Both", at the 2025 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused maximum inundation levels of 3 to 5 feet above ground level along the coast of much of South Carolina, causing severe beach erosion. That storm brought attention to the archaeological resources on Cat, North, and South Islands as heritage sites around the world are impacted by the climate crisis, a situation that continues to grow in scope and severity. Archaeologists, geologists, and biologists are using digitized historical shorelines, a SLAM model, an STP survey, and archival research along with shoreline mapping and site assessments to address the impacts of shoreline erosion, while prioritize the telling of Native American and African American stories. This paper examines the impacts of Hurricanes Irma, Ian, and Idalia to sites ranging from a Revolutionary War fortification to a Reconstruction era fishing village and looks at the intersections between natural and cultural heritage and the pressing threats to both.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• The Intersection Between Natural and Cultural Heritage and the Pressing Threats to Both   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2025

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Nicole Haddow