Effects of fire on cultural resources

Abstract

Cultural resources (CR) refer to the physical evidence of human occupations which archaeologist use to reconstruct the past. This includes the objects, locations, and landscapes that play a significant role in the history or cultural traditions of a group of people. CR include artifacts left by prehistoric aboriginal peoples and those of historical significance. Archaeological constituents, the basic units of archaeological analysis, consist of artifacts and features. Artifacts include carved objects, pottery and ceramics, flaked and ground stones, faunal and floral remains, glass, and metal. Features include earthen works, rock art (e.g., petroglyphs and pictographs), midden soils, and structures (e.g., buildings, monuments, etc). CR are at risk of being damaged by wildfires as well as active natural resource management. In many countries, the United States included, managers have legal requirements to protect CR during fuels treatment and restoration activities as well as during wildfire suppression and post-fire rehabilitation. The successful implementation of prescribed burning and wildfire suppression in CR sensitive areas requires integration of CR and wildland fire science. Knowledge of the local archaeology, artifact materials, site types, and context is essential to minimizing the negative impacts of all management activities. It takes skill and attention to detail to manage fuels and fire CR sensitive areas.

Citation

Ryan, Kevin C. 2010. Effects of fire on cultural resources. In: Viegas, D. X., ed. Proceedings of the VI International Conference on Forest Fire Research; 15-18 November 2010; Coimbra, Portugal. Coimbra, Portugal: University of Coimbra. 14 p.