Cultural Heritage and Coastal Resiliency: An Assessment of Archaeological Sites in North Carolina

Abstract

Climate change is impacting archaeological sites on North Carolina’s coast. Sea-level rise and landscape inundation are often emphasized as the primary threat to cultural heritage from climate change; erosion is identified as the more significant hazard for archaeological sites because of its deterioration of the landscape. A meta-analysis of coastal vulnerability assessments provides a framework for cultural resource managers to address heritage sites under their management. An interdisciplinary assessment applies decadal projections to rank North Carolina’s 5000-plus coastal archaeological sites by vulnerability to erosion and cultural significance, establishing a foundation for near-term planning. Finally, a case study examines a major archaeological site in North Carolina experiencing rapid erosion. Innovative mitigation measures deployed at the site are considered within the context of archaeology and the implications for future research.