In this episode, Roxy speaks with three archaeological conservators who regularly conserve archaeological finds lifted from glacial areas in the Northern Hemisphere. In ice patches, areas that are stationary, frozen, and often obscured by snowfall, organic heritage such as plant or animal-based materials can survive with minimal degradation or loss even over multiple millennia.
However, the escalating warming of the planet is having a significant impact on these high altitude areas leading to more frequent melting events and exposing more finds.
Francis, Margrethe, and Johanna each describe some of the unique finds that have been uncovered due to the glacial melting in their local areas. They also highlight how the stability of these finds can be significantly hindered if left out in the elements due to our changing climate and how important regular surveying is to maintaining an accurate understanding of the area.
Additionally Johanna describes her research into how low energy air drying techniques for birch bark materials can be a better alternative to more energy-intensive methods like vacuum drying.
If you are also working with glacial archaeological materials from the Southern Hemisphere, or other parts of the Northern Hemisphere such as, Canada or Russian, please reach out to aicsustainability@gmail.com. We would like to connect you with this ICOM-CC cohort who are hoping to expand the field’s collective awareness of this unique intersection of cultural heritage conservation and ecological conservation.
Resources:
UNESCO - Year of Glacial Preservation
2025 International UN General Assembly Year of Glacial preservation
Glacier archaeology in Switzerland
Short film about the history and conservation history of the bow case
Information about the Bronze Age wooden box containing cereals
Explore the Mountain Center: Norway's largest exhibition of glacial archaeological finds
European Heritage Award for Glacier Archaeology Preservation Program, Secrets of the Ice, KHM.
