ABSTRACT

Coastal low-lying archaeological sites are known to be at risk due to sea-level rise associated with climate change. However, not all of the potential impacts of sea-level rise on these sites have been documented. In this interdisciplinary study we set out to document the effects of rising groundwater tables induced by rising sea level on middens located on barrier islands in southeastern Florida. After excavating two sites, we collected sediment samples that were analyzed for grain size and moisture content. We found that even though these sites are not yet submerged below the groundwater table significant increases in moisture content indicate a subterranean source of the moisture, most likely the capillary fringe above the water table. Increased moisture content of the sediment in which the artifacts are entrained can increase artifact deterioration. Therefore, current and future groundwater water table elevations should be considered when prioritizing sites for excavation and preservation.

摘要

众所周知，沿海低洼考古遗址由于与气候变化有关的海平面上升而处于危险之中。但是，尚未记录到海平面上升对这些地点的所有潜在影响。在这项跨学科研究中，我们着手记录由海平面上升引起的地下水位上升对位于佛罗里达州东南部的屏障岛上的中点的影响。开挖两个地点后，我们收集了沉积物样品，分析了颗粒大小和水分含量。我们发现，即使这些位置尚未淹没在地下水位以下，含水量的显着增加也表明是地下的水分源，很可能是地下水位以上的毛细条纹。夹带人工产物的沉积物中水分含量的增加会加剧人工产物的劣化。因此，在优先进行挖掘和保存时，应考虑当前和将来的地下水位高程。