Impact Assessment of Current and Future Sea-Level Rises on Coastal and Underwater Archaeological Sites in Indonesia
Dublin Core
Title
Impact Assessment of Current and Future Sea-Level Rises on Coastal and Underwater Archaeological Sites in Indonesia
Description
Despite the indirect impact of sea level rises on underwater archaeological sites, identifying future conditions is
imperative to support conservation planning to minimise the possible effects that may occur. This study aims to
identify the sea level trends in several important archaeological sites in Indonesia and estimate the future change
due to sea level rises. Altimetry satellite data were employed to determine the sea level anomaly (SLA) of three
chosen sites: Mandeh Bay, Banten Bay, and southern Tidore, where significant historical objects were recently
discovered. Hydrodynamic-based modelling was also used to estimate the water properties alteration in 2100 as
predicted by IPCC AR6, with a projection of about 0.68-0.70 meters (m) sea level increase. Under the sea level
rise scenario, the current magnitude will increase significantly by about 33-35per cent in 2100. It is followed by
an increase in sediment transport of 18 – 37 per cent. As sedimentation is the primary issue in these three sites,
sea level rises will induce sufficiently high sedimentation on archaeological remains, and artefact shifting
position is also possible due to the more robust current regimes. Therefore, regular monitoring is an effort to
protect the archaeological remains. If possible, excavations are also recommended to conserve the underwater
cultural heritage (UCH) in Indonesia since it faces an upward sea level trend.
imperative to support conservation planning to minimise the possible effects that may occur. This study aims to
identify the sea level trends in several important archaeological sites in Indonesia and estimate the future change
due to sea level rises. Altimetry satellite data were employed to determine the sea level anomaly (SLA) of three
chosen sites: Mandeh Bay, Banten Bay, and southern Tidore, where significant historical objects were recently
discovered. Hydrodynamic-based modelling was also used to estimate the water properties alteration in 2100 as
predicted by IPCC AR6, with a projection of about 0.68-0.70 meters (m) sea level increase. Under the sea level
rise scenario, the current magnitude will increase significantly by about 33-35per cent in 2100. It is followed by
an increase in sediment transport of 18 – 37 per cent. As sedimentation is the primary issue in these three sites,
sea level rises will induce sufficiently high sedimentation on archaeological remains, and artefact shifting
position is also possible due to the more robust current regimes. Therefore, regular monitoring is an effort to
protect the archaeological remains. If possible, excavations are also recommended to conserve the underwater
cultural heritage (UCH) in Indonesia since it faces an upward sea level trend.
Creator
Ulung J. Wisha
Wisnu A. Gemilang
Nia N. H. Ridwan
Publisher
The Museum of Underwater Archaeology
Date
2023
Language
English
Bibliographic Citation
Wisha, Ulung J., Wisnu A. Gemilang, and Nia N. H. Ridwan. 2023. “Impact Assessment of Current and Future Sea-Level Rises on Coastal and Underwater Archaeological Sites in Indonesia.” Edited by Jennifer Craig, Jay Mok, T. Kurt Knoerl, and Elena Perez-Alvaro. In Proceedings of Fifth Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage: Gwangju, The Republic of Korea, November 13-18 2023. The Museum of Underwater Archaeology. URL: https://apconf.omeka.net/exhibits/show/apconfproceedings/item/1907
Files
Citation
Ulung J. Wisha, Wisnu A. Gemilang, and Nia N. H. Ridwan, “Impact Assessment of Current and Future Sea-Level Rises on Coastal and Underwater Archaeological Sites in Indonesia,” APCONF-MUCH Proceedings Recently Added Items, accessed October 24, 2026, https://apconf-much.org/proceedings/items/show/538.