Indigenous Archaeologies, Shell Heaps, and Climate Change

Abstract

Indigenous communities globally are challenged by threats to heritage resources due to residual effects of colonization, outsider encroachment on traditional spaces, and economic and political inequities. The effects of climate change add another dimension to these challenges, not only by altering familiar ecosystems and landscapes but also through the destruction of Indigenous heritage spaces. The University of Maine's Northeast archaeology program supports Indigenous resilience to climate change through community-engaged approaches to archaeological research. Recent shell heap research at the Holmes Point West site in Machiasport, Maine, exemplifies these efforts by blending archaeological science with service through Passamaquoddy language preservation and community engagement. This article discusses the University of Maine's partnership with the Passamaquoddy Nation and reflects on the nexus of Indigenous archaeology, heritage protection, and climate change resilience.

Assessing Vulnerability and Prioritization of Cultural Assets for Climate Change Planning in Collier County, Southwest Florida

“…Although much research on climate change and heritage has taken place within the United States [15][16][17][18], and while a federal law, The Archaeological Resource Protection Act, defines archaeological sites as an irreplaceable part of America's heritage [19], the country does not have an overarching plan to address the impacts of climate change on cultural resources, and lacks an agency equivalent to Historic Environment Scotland or the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Resource Heritage [1]. Recently, Sara Bronin, Chair of the Advisory Council for Historic Preservation in the U.S., gave testimony recommending the U.S. Federal Government work to draft legislation to create a climate heritage office [20].…”