On route to field work, the scientists stumbled upon the remains of a Russian hunting cabin from the 1800s. These remains have been known for a while, but not its quickly deteriorating current state. (Photo: Thomas Wrigglesworth/NIKU)
As the Arctic experiences rising temperatures, thawing permafrost and increased rainfall, cultural heritage sites and objects are under threat of disintegration.
Not only are weather conditions changing, but tourism and growth have led to further strain on the natural environment. Researchers involved with the interdisciplinary project CULTCOAST are examining climate effects on coastal cultural heritage in the High North areas of Norway but also in relation to the influence of tourism.
The recent discovery of an unknown grave
While conducting fieldwork for the project, researchers recently discovered a partially eroded, unknown grave near other known heritage sites in the Russekeila area on Svalbard’s Kapp Linné.
“This is a classic example of a heritage object that is about to completely disappear before we have the possibility of learning anything from it. And that is very sad,” says project leader Vibeke Vandrup Martens of the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU). She says the grave would eventually end up in the sea, but this process is hastened by climate changes.
It was found at the point where the Linné -river meets the fjord, and is an unusual location for a grave, sparking theories about the circumstances around the burial.
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