The article by Reeder-Myers describes the problems of changing the structure of coastal territories in the 21st century under the influence of both external natural and anthropogenic factors. Soil erosion, global warming, intensive building projects, and other issues are mentioned as the factors that adversely affect coastal conditions. The US territory is taken as a basis, and three main points in different parts of the country are selected for research. The author notes that archaeological excavations in these places prove high human activities, which affected the marine system and local ecology as a whole (Reeder-Myers 437). The experimental study conducted proves that despite the remoteness from one another, all the three sites in the west, south, and east of the state are at risk due to significant geo-climatic changes. Although, as Reeder-Myers remarks, the situation on the west coast is less critical, the coastlines of the three places have changed for the worse during recent decades (439). As a key conclusion, the argument is given that the preservation of archaeologically valuable US coastal areas should be part of the state environmental program.
Robinson et al. focus on the issue of significant changes to coastal sites in Georgia. By choosing 21 locations, the authors explore specific areas by using the geographic information system (GIS) technology and note that in 11 sites, the soil structure has undergone critical damage, and in the remaining areas, the terrain structure is relatively stable (Robinson et al. 312). The background for the analysis is the significant length of the coastline of Georgia and high anthropogenic activities in this state. The vulnerability of offshore sites is assessed from both an archaeological and cultural perspective. The condition of the territories examined is proved by utilizing a special high-tech system, and the accuracy of the study is ensured by a detailed comparison of individual areas. Historical processes at the places analyzed cause negative changes in soil structure, and archaeological excavations confirm that in undeveloped areas, soil erosion is not expected in the coming decades (Robinson et al. 320). As a conclusion, the prediction is given that if urgent measures are not taken, archaeological sites in the coastal territories of Georgia will be destroyed systematically, which will lead to an environmental disaster.
Works Cited
Reeder-Myers, Leslie A. “Cultural Heritage at Risk in the Twenty-First Century: A Vulnerability Assessment of Coastal Archaeological Sites in the United States.” The Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology, vol. 10, no. 3, 2015, pp. 436-445.
Robinson, Michael H., et al. “Threatened Archaeological, Historic, and Cultural Resources of the Georgia Coast: Identification, Prioritization and Management Using GIS Technology.” Geoarchaeology, vol. 25, no. 3, 2010, pp. 312-326.