Unearthing History: Uncovering Submerged Landscapes in the Gulf of Mexico to Preserve Cultural Heritage

A multinational team, including researchers from the University of Bradford, is currently conducting a five-year study in the Gulf of Mexico to identify submerged landscapes from the Last Glacial Period (LGP) and document their cultural significance. The project involves offshore surveys along the coastlines of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, followed by subsequent dives to verify any archaeological sites that are discovered.

The LGP took place from the end of the Last Interglacial to the end of the Younger Dryas, approximately 115,000 to 11,700 years ago. As a result of melting ice, parts of the Gulf of Mexico that were once dry land became submerged under rising sea levels. While fewer than 50 submerged sites have been documented in the Gulf of Mexico so far, this research aims to document more sites to enhance scientific understanding of these historical periods and improve cultural heritage management practices.

This research will provide valuable guidance for identifying and managing submerged landscapes in the Gulf of Mexico and influence US Federal policy on cultural heritage management in this region. Dr. Cook Hale emphasized the importance of knowledge transfer to Tribal Nations in the area and highlighted Indigenous stewardship as crucial for better outcomes in cultural heritage preservation. By involving Tribal Nations in caring for these submerged landscapes, this project seeks to support their efforts in safeguarding historically significant sites as they move towards green initiatives such as offshore wind projects.