Melting glaciers yield archaeologic troves

[Still Waters 50,901]

The group climbed the steep mountainside, clambering across an Alpine glacier, before finding what they were seeking: a crystal vein filled with the precious rocks needed to sculpt their tools.

That is what archaeologists have deduced after the discovery of traces of an ancient hunt for crystals by hunters and gatherers in the Mesolithic era, some 9,500 years ago.

It is one of many valuable archaeological sites to emerge in recent decades from rapidly melting glacier ice, sparking a brand-new field of research: glacier archaeology.

Amid surging temperatures, glaciologists predict that 95 percent of the some 4,000 glaciers dotted throughout the Alps could disappear by the end of this century.

While archaeologists lament the devastating toll of climate change, many acknowledge it has created "an opportunity" to dramatically expand understanding of mountain life millennia ago.

https://phys.org/news/2020-10-alpine-glaciers-yield-archaeologic-troves.html

[RoofGardener 17,275]

Sooo.. the glaciers didn't exist back in those days ? Gosh, I guess   it must have been warmer then that it is today ?  

[Essan 7,514]

1 hour ago, RoofGardener said:

Sooo.. the glaciers didn't exist back in those days ? Gosh, I guess   it must have been warmer then that it is today ?  

9.500 years ago was the peak of the Holocene Climatic Optimum - ie the warmest part of the most recent interglacial.  The current Neoglacial cooling trend began 4-6,000 years ago, since when glaciers have been advancing.  Well, until recently .....

[RoofGardener 17,275]

5 minutes ago, Essan said:

9.500 years ago was the peak of the Holocene Climatic Optimum - ie the warmest part of the most recent interglacial.  The current Neoglacial cooling trend began 4-6,000 years ago, since when glaciers have been advancing.  Well, until recently .....

And surely that is a good thing ?