Uncovering Our Hidden History: How Climate Change Threatens Archaeological Treasures

Since 2023, excavation efforts have been underway at the Magna Roman Fort, located just south of Hadrian’s Wall in Greenhead, Northumberland. Also known as Magnis or Carvoran, this fort was built around AD 80–85 and served as a key Roman military base before Hadrian’s Wall was constructed.

One major goal of the Magna Project is to uncover the fort’s layout and history, identify its garrison, and learn about daily life back then. The unique anaerobic peat soils and glacial clay at Magna create ideal conditions for preserving organic materials, helping to keep Roman artifacts in excellent condition.

However, recent findings have raised concerns. “It looks like Roman remains are just emerging from the ground, but it’s because the ground is sinking,” says Sonja Galloway, communications manager at the Vindolanda Charitable Trust. This is partly due to drying peat bogs that used to protect materials like leather and wood, leading to urgent monitoring efforts started in 2019.

Research indicates that significant organic decay began in the mid-1990s. Dr. Andrew Birley, CEO of the Vindolanda Trust, emphasizes that climate change is making preserved artifacts more vulnerable. “Climate tests show that as droughts and cracks form, oxygen gets in, causing deterioration of materials that have been underground for over 2,000 years,” he explains. The ecosystem above and below ground is intertwined; changes in one can impact the other.

“We have to act fast to recover these materials,” continues Dr. Birley. “As conditions change, we risk losing evidence of those who lived in the forts, including women and children who often remain unrecorded in the archaeological record.”

The site of the fort also houses the Roman Army Museum, all managed by the Vindolanda Charitable Trust. Although the area had been previously mapped, excavation had not been possible until the recent £1.625 million grant allowed for a five-year research and excavation project to start in 2023.

Volunteers, including locals like Rob Dunshire, a retired pharmacist, have been instrumental in the dig. Since starting in 2024, Rob was part of a team that discovered 32 ancient leather shoes. He notes that we are in a “climate emergency,” pointing out that climate change jeopardizes not just our future but our past as well.

“The ground is no longer solely anaerobic,” Rob states. “As it warms up, it’s shifting conditions, which affects delicate materials.” Additionally, the sinking peat bog leads to further deterioration of fragile artifacts.

Dr. Birley warns that time is essential. He estimates that artifacts preserved for 2,000 years could vanish within the next 10 to 15 years due to these rapid changes. “The archaeology we see now won’t last,” he cautions. “We need to select which sites to prioritize and engage the public in these tough conversations. What do you want to preserve before it’s too late?”

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