Ground-Penetrating Radar as a Cultural Resource Management Tool for Assessment of Eroding Shell Middens

ABSTRACT

With an increasing rate of sea level rise inherently linked to climate change, numerous coastal archaeological resources are under threat. In Maine, virtually all 2000+ coastal aboriginal shell middens are eroding. Given limited time and resources, an efficient method for making informed cultural resource management decisions is critical. Herein, we describe a six-step protocol for a minimally invasive and cost-effective ground-penetrating radar delineation of shell midden size and morphology. Benefits of the survey methodology outlined in this study include the efficiency of data collection, the non-destructive aspect of the technique, continuous records of site stratigraphy, and the lower cost as compared to large-scale excavation. Two case studies are presented to illustrate the advantages and challenges associated with this method.

KEYWORDS:

• Shell midden
• ground-penetrating radar
• cultural resource management
• sea-level rise
• geoarchaeology

Acknowledgements

This work is made possible by funding through Maine Sea Grant [grant number: NA14OAR4170072] and represents close collaboration between the University of Maine and Maine Historic Preservation Commission.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Maine Sea Grant [grant number: NA14OAR4170072].

Notes on contributors

Jacquelynn F. Miller

Jacquelynn F. Miller earned a BS in Geology from the University of Kansas in 2015 and an MSc in Earth and Climate Sciences from the University of Maine in May 2018. She currently works as an environmental contractor to the US Army.

Alice R. Kelley

Alice R. Kelley is an Associate Research Professor in the Climate Change Institute and an Instructor in the School of Earth and Climate Sciences at the University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA.

Joseph T. Kelley

Joseph T. Kelley is a professor in the School of Earth and Climate Sciences and at the Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA.

Daniel F. Belknap

Daniel F. Belknap is an Emeritus Professor in the School of Earth and Climate Sciences and at the Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA.

Arthur E. Spiess

Arthur E. Spiess is a Senior Archaeologist with the Maine State Historic Preservation Commission, Augusta, ME, USA, and the State Historic Preservation Officer.