Abstract
Landslides are one of the few types of natural hazards that have affected Sweden regularly in the recent past. We can expect that this geological phenomenon will only increase in frequency in the near future given the ongoing processes of anthropogenic climate change, and this likelihood motivates some historical retrospection. This paper explores how landslides have impacted archaeological sites in Västra Götaland, the country’s most landslide-prone region, from the mid-twentieth century onwards, and how, in turn, archaeologists have had to respond to these disasters. The 1957 Göta, 1973 Fröland, 1977 Tuve and 2006 Småröd landslides are highlighted in particular, as is the landslide-impacted site Hjälpesten. Connections are made to other different but related archaeologies of hazard and disaster, providing insights into the impact that climate change has had and will have on the discipline. While the paper showcases a set of local case studies, it is further argued that its findings have relevance for other areas as well, calling for the attention of the cultural heritage sector.
Highlights
In one way or another, the Covid-19 pandemic has forced us all to reflect upon the material realities of contemporary disasters, both globally and on a local level
It is further argued that by employing the language of ‘natural disasters’, the responsibility for failures in infrastructure development, urban planning, socioeconomic inequalities, resource overexploitation and other societal factors in the creation of disasters is shifted away from the authorities at hand towards more esoteric and elusive causes (Chmutina & von Meding 2019:284). This is especially pertinent at present, as anthropogenic climate change has led to a global increase in the frequency and severity of hazards, and will continue to do so
This paper examines several documented landslides, further tying these into both the practices of the contemporary cultural heritage sector and the difficulties which confront archaeologists in many different fields of research due to the ongoing processes of anthropogenic climate change
Summary
In one way or another, the Covid-19 pandemic has forced us all to reflect upon the material realities of contemporary disasters, both globally and on a local level. Small-scale, a series of similar pilot surveys carried out by Stockholm University have shown the potential for glacial rescue archaeology within Sweden as well, and have located, for example, Migration period-era reindeer bone (Fjellström et al 2019:255) and part of a late medieval ski (Fjellström 2020:6) All of these forms of hazards and disasters, from the northern glaciers to the southern river valleys, share many commonalities in their relationship to archaeology, including an immediate need for comprehensive oversight, management and funding, all efforts currently being largely dependent on individual initiative
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
