Abstract

Assessing impacts of climate change on archeological resources in Maryland
Track: Archaeology
Authors: Jennifer Chadwick-Moore

Maryland is currently losing valuable archeological resources at an alarming rate, and the archeological community, both locally and nationally, needs to be aware of the immediate need for action against the already-active threat of climate change to our history and culture. Archeological resources are at risk from factors including sea level rise, erosion, and storm surge. With over 3,100 miles of shoreline in Maryland and relative sea level rise projections for the Chesapeake Bay region as high as 3.4 feet by 2100, the GIS model revealed that twenty percent of all recorded archeological sites in Maryland would be impacted. A vulnerability assessment was completed to prioritize high risk areas and archeological sites for management, protection and documentation purposes. Spatial analysis tools were used to develop a GIS model to overlay statewide datasets, which include erosion rates, shoreline, inundation and storm surge data, with archeological resources to assess future impacts.