Dam(ned) Archaeology

Abstract

The relationship between dams, engineers, heritage and archaeologists has often been contentious, if not openly hostile. Dams can inundate or destroy hundreds, if not thousands, of sites, many of which are not excavated or even recorded. Yet, as the global population rises, millions of people live without clean water or electricity, and searching for ways to feed them is an international priority. Climate change exacerbates the extreme weather conditions which lead to droughts and flooding. Dams can provide power and water for drinking and irrigation projects, and can regulate the water in areas that have too much, or provide for those with none at all. The How to Build a Dam and Save Cultural Heritage Project is run jointly between Durham and Edinburgh Universities, and is intended to provide an interdisciplinary platform for all groups involved in the issue to begin to seek a way forward. The inaugural event - a two day workshop held at Durham University on 6-7th July 2012 - was well attended, with representatives from The British Dam Society, URS Infrastructure and Environment, the British Museum, NG Archaeology Services, and members of staff and postgraduates from the Universities of Durham, Edinburgh, Oxford, Newcastle, UCL, Ulster (N. Ireland), Kyoto (Japan), Pennsylvania (USA), Shah Abdul Latif (Pakistan). Talks covered every continent, giving a truly international perspective.