Glacial archaeology: a new and short-lived science
Ales Krivec, Unsplash
The melting of Alpine glaciers due to global warming is uncovering unexpected evidence of the past. These findings, including the body of the famous Etsy Iceman, ancient artefacts and mysterious remains, not only show how people survived in the mountains, but also help unlock the secrets of their lives.
In 1991, a pair of hikers discovered the body of Etsi, a man who died more than 5,000 years ago on the border of modern-day Italy and Austria. He wore warm clothing made of fur and leather, and his equipment, including a copper axe, was high-tech for its time. Etsi has come to symbolise the fact that people mastered high mountain routes as far back as antiquity, developing skills that are still impressive today.
Other unique findings include:
- The oldest snowshoes (6,000 years ago).
- Roman coins sacrificed to the gods of the mountains.
- Porchabella Glacier Woman: perished in 1685, leaving many mysteries.
All these artefacts, frozen in eternal ice, allow archaeologists to recreate daily life and unusual stories of past eras.
Global warming threatens this "archive". Without the protection of glaciers, the artefacts are beginning to deteriorate. Scientists warn that glacial archaeology could become a temporary science if rescue of the finds is not accelerated.
If you find something unusual in the mountains:
- Do not touch the find.
- Take a photo and report it to the archaeologists or the police.
- Use apps like IceWatcher to share information.
Every find is a chance to preserve a piece of history. But like glaciers, that chance is rapidly disappearing. Preserving these artefacts is a shared responsibility of civilisation to future generations.
