Amedeo Sghinolfi
Postdoctoral fellow
Department of Environmental Sciences
UQTR
Amedeo.Sghinolfi@uqtr.ca
Alexandre Roy (Regular member)
IntroductionClimate change and associated threats (e.g., sea level rise, permafrost degradation, coastal erosion, and vegetation growth) are heavily affecting Nunavik and its inhabitants. The cultural heritage of the Inuit people of Nunavik is also at risk since several archeological sites are currently affected by coastal erosion or are at risk of being covered by shrubs; these processes may lead to cultural loss due to the disappearance of key components of the local heritage.ObjectivesThis project aims to assess the impact of climate change on archaeological sites, surveying, and mapping known and unreported archaeological remains. The project will be conducted with the participation of the local community and institutions (e.g., Kativik Regional Administration, Makivik Society, Avataq Cultural Institute, local municipality, and Nunavik Parks), and will lead to the creation of 3-D models of archaeological sites that may partially mitigate cultural loss. Study sitesThe project will be conducted at archaeological sites located near Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik, Northern Québec. A number of sites affected by coastal erosion and vegetation growth will be surveyed during this research project. Material and methodsArchaeological sites located in Nunavik will be mapped using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)/drones equipped with a number of sensors. At each site, several zenithal and oblique photos will be taken. Subsequently, these photos will be stitched together in a lab setting to create accurate 3-D models. In addition, drones equipped with LiDAR sensors may be used at sites covered by shrubs in order to see archaeological remains covered by vegetation. Results may be uploaded to an interactive platform that may be accessed by the whole local community. Expected resultsThis project will help to evaluate the impact of climate change on the cultural heritage of the Inuit people of Nunavik, and, more broadly, will expand the literature on climate change-induced culture loss in Arctic regions. Project results (i.e., 3-D models, field reports) will be shared with the local community and may be used as educational tools, integrating the results of other CEN members in this area.
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