42 In Cahoots: Interdisciplinary Studies of Climate Change Impacts to Archaeological Resources

Tuesday, 22 March 2022
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Commonwealth Salon 4

WORKING TOGETHER TO PRESERVE MAINE'S COASTAL INDIGENOUS CULTURAL HERITAGE

Paper number: 42-5
Program: Theme Sessions
Time: 9:10 AM – 9:30 AM

Authors

Abstract

Virtually all of Maine’s 2000 shell middens, also known as shell heaps or mounds, are eroding in the face of climate change-induced coastal processes. Sea level rise, combined with more frequent and intense storms and increasing freeze-thaw events are resulting in potentially accelerated cultural heritage loss. The Maine Midden Minders program seeks to inform local communities and tribes through outreach (videos, live presentations, field trips, and a website: www.umaine.edu/middenminders/). Additionally, the program promotes participation by tribal citizens, conservation/land trust groups, historical societies, state agencies, students, individuals and landowners to assist in monitoring shell heap conditions. This effort includes documenting seasonal and storm-related erosion through photography and annual mapping, as well as recording images of eroded artifacts. Information is included in a database available to researchers, Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, local governments and NGO’s for planning purposes.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 54, No. 3

doi: 10.1130/abs/2022NE-375053

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