Millions needed to save priceless archaeological remains from coastal erosion
Millions needed to save priceless archaeological remains from coastal erosion
BY STAFF |MAY 29 2017
WAVES The advancing seas are eroding beaches along Iceland's coasts and imperiling
archeological remains that have not yet been researched. Photo/Vísir.
Archeological remains of great cultural value are in danger of being washed away by coastal erosion on many of Iceland's shores, according to the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture. An MP for the Left Green Movement warns of an impending "cultural disaster" due to a lack of financing for their preservation. Documenting and preserving the remains might cost hundreds of millions of ISK, according to an official estimate.
Only a quarter of known remains has been documented
In a written response to questions from MPs in the Icelandic parliament, the Minister of Education, Science and Culture, said that the ministry was aware of a number of places around the country where valuable remains were in danger of being lost. However, the Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland has only documented around a quarter of the remains that are protected by law due to their age.
The ministry estimates it will cost in the region of 330 million ISK to document all the remains on the shoreline of Iceland. However, preliminary plans for the protection of such remains cannot be implemented due to a lack of funding, according to the National Broadcasting Service RÚV.
Icelanders can afford to preserve historical remains
Lilja Rafney Magnúsdóttir, an MP for the Left Green Movement, criticizes the government for not doing more to protect archeological remains.
More:
http://icelandmag.visir.is/article/millions-needed-save-priceless-archaeological-remains-coastal-erosion
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