Archaeological gems rescued from erosion can enrich our knowledge of climate change

Our priceless coastal heritage is under threat from climate change but, as Clodagh Finn writes, we are not entirely at the mercy of the elements 

CHERISH (Climate, Heritage and Environments of Reefs, Islands and Headlands) archaeologists excavating a survey trench on an area of the Ferriter's Castle promontory fort at the weekend. CHERISH aims to develop innovative ways of studying the corrosive impact of climate change on maritime cultural heritage around the coast of Ireland and Wales. Photo: Declan Malone

Hoof prints from prehistoric cows. An ancient coastal defence network. Walnut pollen suggesting a European association with Medieval monks in Kerry. Tree stumps from the Bronze Age.

These are just some of the remarkable discoveries unearthed by archaeologists and environmental scientists during a six-year project designed to record some of our coastal cultural heritage before erosion, accelerated by climate change, claims it.