Preserving Stories Carved in Time

The LIkneset Case Study

Photo: Lise Loktu

The Likneset: Safeguarding Svalbard’s Historical Burial Sites from Climate Erosion The Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU) is collaborating with AWA to ensure the longevity of critical data from their Likneset Project , which investigates the impacts of climate change on vulnerable archaeo logical sites. Phase one of this project, set to be deposited at AWA during the next event, documents the ongoing degradation of 17th-century whalers’ graves in Svalbard. This pioneering study uses skeletal analyses to assess environmental changes over the last 30 years. Through advanced preservation technology, AWA will secure NIKU’s invaluable data for future generations, offering essential insights into the effects of climate change on cultural heritage.

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