Jørgen Hollesen
Biographic Data
| ID | 264563 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Jørgen Hollesen |
| GIVEN NAMES | Jørgen |
| FAMILY NAME | Hollesen |
| SIGNATURE | HOLLESEN J |
| AFFILIATIONS | National Museum of Denmark |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-8775-2026 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 21 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 72 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 21 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2012 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
Climate Change Impacts on Wetland Archaeology
Here we quantify the tolerance of archaeological wood to drying by analyzing in situ deformation during a severe drought. Deformation began when matrix potential dropped below 0 kPa, with severe deformation below −50 kPa. At the study site, this corresponds to soil water contents (SWC) of less than 40% and 30%, respectively. Furthermore, we evaluate the feasibility of using either a high density of handheld surface SWC measurements or drone‐based…
Climate Change and the Continued Preservation of the Arctic Archaeological Record
.
Ancient DNA provides insights into 4,000 years of resource economy across Greenland
Of time and tide
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has documented wide-ranging changes to the world's coasts and oceans, with significant further change predicted. Impacts on coastal and underwater heritage sites, however, remain relatively poorly understood. The authors draw on 30 years of research into coastal and underwater archaeological sites to highlight some of the interrelated processes of deterioration and damage. Emphasising the need for clo…
Climate change adaptation policy and planning for cultural heritage in low- and middle-income countries
Climate change threatens archaeological sites and cultural landscapes globally. While to date, awareness and action around cultural heritage and climate change adaptation planning has focused on Europe and North America, in this article, the authors address adaptation policy and measures for heritage sites in low- and middle-income countries. Using a review of national adaptation plans, expert survey and five case studies, results show the varied…
Wetland archaeology and the impact of climate change
Wetland archaeological sites offer excellent but vulnerable preservation conditions. This article presents examples of threats to such sites that may be enhanced, or diminished, by climate change, discusses methods for predicting and quantifying impacts, and examines what heritage managers can do to mitigate their effects. The consequences of climate change for wetland archaeological sites are likely to be severe and widespread but hard to predic…
Climate change and the loss of archaeological sites and landscapes
Climate change is affecting archaeological sites and landscapes around the world. Increased rainfall, more frequent extreme weather events, higher temperatures and rising seas not only create new risks but also exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and threats. Building on an earlier Antiquity article that explored climate change and arctic archaeology (Hollesen et al.2018), this special section provides a global perspective on the impact of climat…
The Impact of Vegetation on Archaeological Sites in the Low Arctic in Light of Climate Change
Vegetation is changing across the Arctic in response to increasing temperatures, which may influence archaeological sites in the region. At the moment, very little is known about how different plant species influence archaeological remains. In this study we visited 14 archaeological sites stretching across a climatic gradient from the outer coast to the inner fjords in the Nuuk Fjord area of West Greenland to assess the impact of vegetation growt…
Bone degradation at five Arctic archaeological sites
The degradation of archaeological bones is influenced by many variables. The bone material itself is a composite of both organic and inorganic components, and their degradation depends on processes occurring both before and after burial, and on both intrinsic bone characteristics as well as extrinsic environmental parameters. In this study we attempt to quantify the effect of some of the variables using a novel approach that includes detailed mon…
Arctic archaeological sites threatened by climate change
Climate change threatens many well‐preserved archaeological sites in the Arctic. The paper presents the first Arctic multi‐threat assessment focusing on the Nuuk region of Greenland. The results suggest that the majority of the 336 known archaeological sites are already exposed to impacts from microbial degradation, permafrost thaw and vegetation, and that these impacts will increase over the next 80 years. Additional impacts from coastal erosion…
A Ticking Clock? Preservation and Management of Greenland’s Archaeological Heritage in the Twenty-First Century
Evaluating the rate of deterioration at archaeological sites in the Arctic presents several challenges. In West Greenland, for example, increasing soil temperatures, perennial thaws, coastal erosion, storm surges, changing microbial communities, and pioneer plant species are observed as increasingly detrimental to the survival of organic archaeological deposits found scattered along the country’s littoral zones and extensive inner fjord systems. …
Climate change and the deteriorating archaeological and environmental archives of the Arctic
The Impact of Climate Change on an Archaeological Site in the Arctic
Climate change may accelerate the degradation of archaeological sites in the Arctic and lead to a loss of important historical information. This study assesses the current preservation conditions and the processes controlling the physical and chemical stability of the Qajaa kitchen midden in western Greenland. Currently, the site is well protected by low ground temperatures, permafrost and a high water/ice content, keeping the deposits anoxic. Ba…
Making Better Use of Monitoring Data
This paper addresses the knowledge gap that exists in relation to understanding and quantifying the sensitivity of organic-rich archaeological deposits with respect to changes in the soil environment. Based on two case studies we demonstrate that it is possible to quantify the current decay rate in unsaturated archaeological deposits by combining decay rates measured in the laboratory with on-site monitoring data in a simple decay model. The deca…
Monitoring and Mitigation Works in Unsaturated Archaeological Deposits
Monitoring of the archaeological deposits at the World Heritage Site Bryggen in Bergen has been ongoing since 2001. In latter years a large-scale project of mitigation works has been carried out, resulting in the creation of a water-management system aimed at raising groundwater-levels and increasing soil moisture content in areas with poor preservation conditions. Oxygen is a key parameter in the decay of archaeological material in the unsaturat…
Research and Monitoring on Conservation State and Preservation Conditions in Unsaturated Archaeological Deposits of a Medieval Farm Mound in Troms and a Late Stone Age Midden in Finnmark, Northern Nor…
This paper presents archaeological observations and results of palaeoecological and geo-chemical analyses of archaeological deposits from two rural sites in northernmost Norway. These are combined with climate data and the first period of continuous monitoring of soil temperature, moisture, and redox potential in sections. This data constitutes the basic research material for evaluations of conservation state and preservation conditions. The data…
The Influence of Soil Moisture, Temperature and Oxygen on the Oxic Decay of Organic Archaeological Deposits
The sensitivity of organic‐rich archaeological layers at B ryggen in B ergen, N orway, to changes in soil temperatures, water contents and oxygen concentrations is investigated. This is done by linking measurements of oxic decay at varying temperatures and water contents with on‐site monitoring data using a one‐pool decomposition model. The results show that the model can be used to elucidate the current in situ decay and to evaluate where and wh…
In situ Measurements of Oxygen Dynamics in Unsaturated Archaeological Deposits
Oxygen is a key parameter in the degradation of archaeological material, but little is known of its dynamics in situ . In this study, 10 optical oxygen sensors placed in a 2 m deep test pit in the cultural deposits at B ryggen in Bergen have monitored oxygen concentrations every half hour for more than a year. It is shown that there is a significant spatial and temporal variation in the oxygen concentration, which is correlated to measured soil c…
Conference Review
Degradation of Archaeological Wood Under Freezing and Thawing Conditions—Effects of Permafrost and Climate Change
The degradation of archaeological wood at freezing and thawing temperatures is studied at the site of Q ajaa in W est G reenland through a combination of environmental monitoring, measurement of oxygen consumption and microscopy of wood samples. Permanently frozen wood is still very well preserved after 2–4000 years, while wood samples that thaw every summer show attack by soft rot and an average density loss of 0.1 g cm –3 (corresponding to 25% …
The Future Preservation of a Permanently Frozen Kitchen Midden in Western Greenland
Archaeological materials may be extraordinarily well preserved in Arctic areas, where permanently frozen conditions in the ground slow down the decay of materials such as wood, bone, flesh, hair, and DNA. However, the mean annual air temperature in the Arctic is expected to increase by between 2·5 to 7·5°C by the end of the twenty-first century. This may have a significant warming effect on the soil and could lead to permafrost thaw and degradati…
Climate change and the deteriorating archaeological and environmental archives of the Arctic
Degradation of Archaeological Wood Under Freezing and Thawing Conditions—Effects of Permafrost and Climate Change
The degradation of archaeological wood at freezing and thawing temperatures is studied at the site of Q ajaa in W est G reenland through a combination of environmental monitoring, measurement of oxygen consumption and microscopy of wood samples. Permanently frozen wood is still very well preserved after 2–4000 years, while wood samples that thaw every summer show attack by soft rot and an average density loss of 0.1 g cm –3 (corresponding to 25% …
Climate change and the loss of archaeological sites and landscapes
Climate change is affecting archaeological sites and landscapes around the world. Increased rainfall, more frequent extreme weather events, higher temperatures and rising seas not only create new risks but also exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and threats. Building on an earlier Antiquity article that explored climate change and arctic archaeology (Hollesen et al.2018), this special section provides a global perspective on the impact of climat…
The Impact of Climate Change on an Archaeological Site in the Arctic
Climate change may accelerate the degradation of archaeological sites in the Arctic and lead to a loss of important historical information. This study assesses the current preservation conditions and the processes controlling the physical and chemical stability of the Qajaa kitchen midden in western Greenland. Currently, the site is well protected by low ground temperatures, permafrost and a high water/ice content, keeping the deposits anoxic. Ba…
Wetland archaeology and the impact of climate change
Wetland archaeological sites offer excellent but vulnerable preservation conditions. This article presents examples of threats to such sites that may be enhanced, or diminished, by climate change, discusses methods for predicting and quantifying impacts, and examines what heritage managers can do to mitigate their effects. The consequences of climate change for wetland archaeological sites are likely to be severe and widespread but hard to predic…
Arctic archaeological sites threatened by climate change
Climate change threatens many well‐preserved archaeological sites in the Arctic. The paper presents the first Arctic multi‐threat assessment focusing on the Nuuk region of Greenland. The results suggest that the majority of the 336 known archaeological sites are already exposed to impacts from microbial degradation, permafrost thaw and vegetation, and that these impacts will increase over the next 80 years. Additional impacts from coastal erosion…
The Influence of Soil Moisture, Temperature and Oxygen on the Oxic Decay of Organic Archaeological Deposits
The sensitivity of organic‐rich archaeological layers at B ryggen in B ergen, N orway, to changes in soil temperatures, water contents and oxygen concentrations is investigated. This is done by linking measurements of oxic decay at varying temperatures and water contents with on‐site monitoring data using a one‐pool decomposition model. The results show that the model can be used to elucidate the current in situ decay and to evaluate where and wh…
Of time and tide
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has documented wide-ranging changes to the world's coasts and oceans, with significant further change predicted. Impacts on coastal and underwater heritage sites, however, remain relatively poorly understood. The authors draw on 30 years of research into coastal and underwater archaeological sites to highlight some of the interrelated processes of deterioration and damage. Emphasising the need for clo…
Bone degradation at five Arctic archaeological sites
The degradation of archaeological bones is influenced by many variables. The bone material itself is a composite of both organic and inorganic components, and their degradation depends on processes occurring both before and after burial, and on both intrinsic bone characteristics as well as extrinsic environmental parameters. In this study we attempt to quantify the effect of some of the variables using a novel approach that includes detailed mon…
Climate change adaptation policy and planning for cultural heritage in low- and middle-income countries
Climate change threatens archaeological sites and cultural landscapes globally. While to date, awareness and action around cultural heritage and climate change adaptation planning has focused on Europe and North America, in this article, the authors address adaptation policy and measures for heritage sites in low- and middle-income countries. Using a review of national adaptation plans, expert survey and five case studies, results show the varied…
In situ Measurements of Oxygen Dynamics in Unsaturated Archaeological Deposits
Oxygen is a key parameter in the degradation of archaeological material, but little is known of its dynamics in situ . In this study, 10 optical oxygen sensors placed in a 2 m deep test pit in the cultural deposits at B ryggen in Bergen have monitored oxygen concentrations every half hour for more than a year. It is shown that there is a significant spatial and temporal variation in the oxygen concentration, which is correlated to measured soil c…
The Future Preservation of a Permanently Frozen Kitchen Midden in Western Greenland
Archaeological materials may be extraordinarily well preserved in Arctic areas, where permanently frozen conditions in the ground slow down the decay of materials such as wood, bone, flesh, hair, and DNA. However, the mean annual air temperature in the Arctic is expected to increase by between 2·5 to 7·5°C by the end of the twenty-first century. This may have a significant warming effect on the soil and could lead to permafrost thaw and degradati…
Conference Review
Degradation of Archaeological Wood Under Freezing and Thawing Conditions—Effects of Permafrost and Climate Change
The degradation of archaeological wood at freezing and thawing temperatures is studied at the site of Q ajaa in W est G reenland through a combination of environmental monitoring, measurement of oxygen consumption and microscopy of wood samples. Permanently frozen wood is still very well preserved after 2–4000 years, while wood samples that thaw every summer show attack by soft rot and an average density loss of 0.1 g cm –3 (corresponding to 25% …
The Influence of Soil Moisture, Temperature and Oxygen on the Oxic Decay of Organic Archaeological Deposits
The sensitivity of organic‐rich archaeological layers at B ryggen in B ergen, N orway, to changes in soil temperatures, water contents and oxygen concentrations is investigated. This is done by linking measurements of oxic decay at varying temperatures and water contents with on‐site monitoring data using a one‐pool decomposition model. The results show that the model can be used to elucidate the current in situ decay and to evaluate where and wh…
In situ Measurements of Oxygen Dynamics in Unsaturated Archaeological Deposits
Oxygen is a key parameter in the degradation of archaeological material, but little is known of its dynamics in situ . In this study, 10 optical oxygen sensors placed in a 2 m deep test pit in the cultural deposits at B ryggen in Bergen have monitored oxygen concentrations every half hour for more than a year. It is shown that there is a significant spatial and temporal variation in the oxygen concentration, which is correlated to measured soil c…
Making Better Use of Monitoring Data
This paper addresses the knowledge gap that exists in relation to understanding and quantifying the sensitivity of organic-rich archaeological deposits with respect to changes in the soil environment. Based on two case studies we demonstrate that it is possible to quantify the current decay rate in unsaturated archaeological deposits by combining decay rates measured in the laboratory with on-site monitoring data in a simple decay model. The deca…
Monitoring and Mitigation Works in Unsaturated Archaeological Deposits
Monitoring of the archaeological deposits at the World Heritage Site Bryggen in Bergen has been ongoing since 2001. In latter years a large-scale project of mitigation works has been carried out, resulting in the creation of a water-management system aimed at raising groundwater-levels and increasing soil moisture content in areas with poor preservation conditions. Oxygen is a key parameter in the decay of archaeological material in the unsaturat…
Research and Monitoring on Conservation State and Preservation Conditions in Unsaturated Archaeological Deposits of a Medieval Farm Mound in Troms and a Late Stone Age Midden in Finnmark, Northern Nor…
This paper presents archaeological observations and results of palaeoecological and geo-chemical analyses of archaeological deposits from two rural sites in northernmost Norway. These are combined with climate data and the first period of continuous monitoring of soil temperature, moisture, and redox potential in sections. This data constitutes the basic research material for evaluations of conservation state and preservation conditions. The data…
The Impact of Climate Change on an Archaeological Site in the Arctic
Climate change may accelerate the degradation of archaeological sites in the Arctic and lead to a loss of important historical information. This study assesses the current preservation conditions and the processes controlling the physical and chemical stability of the Qajaa kitchen midden in western Greenland. Currently, the site is well protected by low ground temperatures, permafrost and a high water/ice content, keeping the deposits anoxic. Ba…
A Ticking Clock? Preservation and Management of Greenland’s Archaeological Heritage in the Twenty-First Century
Evaluating the rate of deterioration at archaeological sites in the Arctic presents several challenges. In West Greenland, for example, increasing soil temperatures, perennial thaws, coastal erosion, storm surges, changing microbial communities, and pioneer plant species are observed as increasingly detrimental to the survival of organic archaeological deposits found scattered along the country’s littoral zones and extensive inner fjord systems. …
Climate change and the deteriorating archaeological and environmental archives of the Arctic
The Impact of Vegetation on Archaeological Sites in the Low Arctic in Light of Climate Change
Vegetation is changing across the Arctic in response to increasing temperatures, which may influence archaeological sites in the region. At the moment, very little is known about how different plant species influence archaeological remains. In this study we visited 14 archaeological sites stretching across a climatic gradient from the outer coast to the inner fjords in the Nuuk Fjord area of West Greenland to assess the impact of vegetation growt…
Bone degradation at five Arctic archaeological sites
The degradation of archaeological bones is influenced by many variables. The bone material itself is a composite of both organic and inorganic components, and their degradation depends on processes occurring both before and after burial, and on both intrinsic bone characteristics as well as extrinsic environmental parameters. In this study we attempt to quantify the effect of some of the variables using a novel approach that includes detailed mon…
Arctic archaeological sites threatened by climate change
Climate change threatens many well‐preserved archaeological sites in the Arctic. The paper presents the first Arctic multi‐threat assessment focusing on the Nuuk region of Greenland. The results suggest that the majority of the 336 known archaeological sites are already exposed to impacts from microbial degradation, permafrost thaw and vegetation, and that these impacts will increase over the next 80 years. Additional impacts from coastal erosion…
Ancient DNA provides insights into 4,000 years of resource economy across Greenland
Of time and tide
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has documented wide-ranging changes to the world's coasts and oceans, with significant further change predicted. Impacts on coastal and underwater heritage sites, however, remain relatively poorly understood. The authors draw on 30 years of research into coastal and underwater archaeological sites to highlight some of the interrelated processes of deterioration and damage. Emphasising the need for clo…
Climate change adaptation policy and planning for cultural heritage in low- and middle-income countries
Climate change threatens archaeological sites and cultural landscapes globally. While to date, awareness and action around cultural heritage and climate change adaptation planning has focused on Europe and North America, in this article, the authors address adaptation policy and measures for heritage sites in low- and middle-income countries. Using a review of national adaptation plans, expert survey and five case studies, results show the varied…
Wetland archaeology and the impact of climate change
Wetland archaeological sites offer excellent but vulnerable preservation conditions. This article presents examples of threats to such sites that may be enhanced, or diminished, by climate change, discusses methods for predicting and quantifying impacts, and examines what heritage managers can do to mitigate their effects. The consequences of climate change for wetland archaeological sites are likely to be severe and widespread but hard to predic…
Climate change and the loss of archaeological sites and landscapes
Climate change is affecting archaeological sites and landscapes around the world. Increased rainfall, more frequent extreme weather events, higher temperatures and rising seas not only create new risks but also exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and threats. Building on an earlier Antiquity article that explored climate change and arctic archaeology (Hollesen et al.2018), this special section provides a global perspective on the impact of climat…
Climate Change and the Continued Preservation of the Arctic Archaeological Record
.
Climate Change Impacts on Wetland Archaeology
Here we quantify the tolerance of archaeological wood to drying by analyzing in situ deformation during a severe drought. Deformation began when matrix potential dropped below 0 kPa, with severe deformation below −50 kPa. At the study site, this corresponds to soil water contents (SWC) of less than 40% and 30%, respectively. Furthermore, we evaluate the feasibility of using either a high density of handheld surface SWC measurements or drone‐based…
Archaeology (17 works) · Geography (17 works) · Geology (15 works) · Oceanography (12 works) · Climate change (11 works) · Building materials and conservation (10 works) · Conservation Techniques and Studies (9 works) · Geology (9 works) · Arctic (8 works) · Environmental Science (8 works)