Peru grapples with climate toll on cultural sites

Carlos Zárate shown during a recent visit at dusk to the slopes of the Ampato volcano. (Photo by Denis Mayhua)

Climate change is degrading archeological resources around the world. Heavy rains are causing inland ruins to collapse, rising seas are eroding coastal cultural sites, and melting glaciers are exposing ancient artifacts—and even human bodies, forcing scientists into a race against time to reach them before destructive bacteria do. In Peru, world-famous for an archeological heritage that includes the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu, the problem is particularly acute. After years of inaction, however, government authorities have begun responding to longstanding calls for a coordinated response. (See related Q&A—this issue.) On Aug. 28, Peruvian ministers approved a methodological “guide” aimed at “planning disaster risk management influenced by climate change.” According to the country’s Ministry of Culture, the document provides “guidelines, technical criteria, and practical tools” to help Peruvian authorities incorporate climate-change-related risk management into their oversight of Peru’s World Heritage Sites. It marks one of... Read more →