Unearthing History: Discovering Submerged Landscapes in the Gulf of Mexico and their Cultural Impact

A multinational team of researchers, including those from the University of Bradford, are currently conducting a five-year study in the Gulf of Mexico to uncover submerged landscapes from the Last Glacial Period (LGP), also known as the Last Ice Age. 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. To date, fewer than 50 submerged sites have been documented in the Gulf of Mexico, with many of these sites being in semi-disturbed conditions. This raises questions for archaeologists about who inhabited these landscapes and what their cultural identity was.

The project aims to document a larger number of sites to enhance scientific understanding of these historical periods and improve cultural heritage management practices. The research will provide valuable guidance for identifying and managing submerged landscapes in the Gulf of Mexico, which could 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, highlighting Indigenous stewardship’s significance for better outcomes in cultural heritage preservation. By involving Tribal Nations in caring for these submerged landscapes, the project seeks to support their efforts in safeguarding historically significant sites as green initiatives such as offshore wind projects move forward.

This research has significant implications for both scientists and local communities alike. By uncovering more information about these submerged landscapes and their inhabitants’ cultural identity, we can gain a deeper understanding of our past and how it has shaped us today. Additionally