Climate change is and will continue to impact the entire state. Everywhere temperatures will warm, precipitation will increase during the summer, droughts will likely increase from warmer and drier conditions, sea level will rise, and warmer and saltier waters will make their way inland. Extreme weather events and related threats like hurricanes, tornados, and wildfires are likely to impact areas across the state.
While these changes will occur everywhere, the impacts of each threat on archaeological sites will vary based on the site’s regional location. Choose a county on the map below or select a region to learn about the area-specific threats and their impacts on archaeological sites.
Main image: A stone house along Falls Lake in Wake County. The tree branches covering the stone house came down during storms that have been increasing with climate change. The base of the structure is overgrown with plant life that is supported by increased temperature and precipitation. (Image by NC Office of State Archaeology, 2018)
This material was produced with assistance from the Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund, administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.