{"id":50,"date":"2019-05-13T15:29:13","date_gmt":"2019-05-13T19:29:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/?page_id=50"},"modified":"2025-07-11T15:30:18","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T19:30:18","slug":"why-are-middens-eroding","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/why-are-middens-eroding\/","title":{"rendered":"Why are Middens Eroding?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Three factors are causing the erosion of Maine\u2019s shell middens:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Coastal erosion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increasing freeze\/thaw events<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Looting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Coastal erosion<\/strong> is caused by a combination of sea level rise and storm-driven waves. &nbsp;Sea level rise is documented by four tide-gauges on the Maine coast (Kittery, Portland, Bar Harbor, and Eastport). &nbsp;In Portland, the tide gauge record for the last X years shows a mean sea level rise of 1.7 mm per year. &nbsp;This rate is fueled by the addition of glacial melt water to the world ocean and the thermal expansion of water as the ocean warms. &nbsp;As sea level rises, it raises the reach of coastal storm waves, increasing the amount of coastal erosion associated with storms. IPCC predictions of sea level rise of 75 inches by 2100 is considered low by many coastal geologists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"485\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Maine-Sea-level-1024x485.jpg\" alt=\"A projection of sea level rise from 1912 to 2100.\" class=\"wp-image-371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Maine-Sea-level-1024x485.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Maine-Sea-level-300x142.jpg 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Maine-Sea-level-768x363.jpg 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Maine-Sea-level-105x50.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Maine-Sea-level-317x150.jpg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Maine-Sea-level-423x200.jpg 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Maine-Sea-level-634x300.jpg 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Maine-Sea-level-846x400.jpg 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Maine-Sea-level-951x450.jpg 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Maine-Sea-level-1268x600.jpg 1268w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Maine-Sea-level.jpg 1454w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">Image from Maine Climate News<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Freeze\/thaw activity<\/strong> represents a less dramatic, but significant erosion factor. &nbsp;As temperatures rise above freezing, water seeps into and through the porous shell midden. &nbsp;Water moving downslope flows out the eroding face, removing shell fragments and other material. &nbsp;When temperatures fall, the water in the midden freezes and expands, disrupting the interior and setting up continued erosion. &nbsp;As Maine\u2019s winters experience greater temperature variability, these damaging cycles will increase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Looting<\/strong> is an additional threat to shell middens. &nbsp;Whether driven by the desire to expand personal collections of artifacts or removed for sale, the act of digging in shell middens exacerbates natural erosion processes. &nbsp;Because shell middens are largely composed of shell with relatively few artifacts, collecting requires a great deal of disturbance.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-50_f5f0f1-b2 .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-50_f5f0f1-b2 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-50_f5f0f1-b2\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id50_183f1a-f6 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id50_183f1a-f6 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id50_183f1a-f6 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(35% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 2 )\/3)))minmax(0, calc(30% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 2 )\/3)))minmax(0, calc(35% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 2 )\/3)));}.kb-row-layout-id50_183f1a-f6 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id50_183f1a-f6 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-right:50px;padding-left:50px;grid-template-columns:repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id50_183f1a-f6 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id50_183f1a-f6 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-right:25px;padding-left:25px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id50_183f1a-f6 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id50_183f1a-f6 alignnone um-UMBlueIconSet wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-3-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column50_b8aef3-c8 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column50_b8aef3-c8 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column50_b8aef3-c8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column50_b8aef3-c8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column50_b8aef3-c8 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column50_b8aef3-c8 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column50_b8aef3-c8{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column50_b8aef3-c8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column50_b8aef3-c8 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column50_b8aef3-c8 inner-column-1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"979\" height=\"651\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/shells-at-damriscotta.jpg\" alt=\"Shells stacked upon one another at a midden in Damriscotta\" class=\"wp-image-193\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:100px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/shells-at-damriscotta.jpg 979w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/shells-at-damriscotta-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/shells-at-damriscotta-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/shells-at-damriscotta-105x70.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/shells-at-damriscotta-317x211.jpg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/shells-at-damriscotta-423x281.jpg 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/shells-at-damriscotta-634x422.jpg 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/shells-at-damriscotta-846x563.jpg 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/shells-at-damriscotta-951x632.jpg 951w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,979px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_26d2c9-9b, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_26d2c9-9b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_26d2c9-9b\"]{text-align:center;font-size:18px;font-weight:900;font-style:normal;font-family:stratum-1-web;text-transform:uppercase;color:#003263;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_26d2c9-9b mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_26d2c9-9b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_26d2c9-9b\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_26d2c9-9b img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_26d2c9-9b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_26d2c9-9b\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_26d2c9-9b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_26d2c9-9b\"] a, a.kb-advanced-heading-link.kt-adv-heading-link50_26d2c9-9b{text-decoration:none;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_26d2c9-9b, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_26d2c9-9b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_26d2c9-9b\"]{text-align:center!important;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_26d2c9-9b, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_26d2c9-9b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_26d2c9-9b\"]{margin-top:0px;text-align:center!important;}}<\/style>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/what-is-a-midden\/\" class=\"kb-advanced-heading-link kt-adv-heading-link50_26d2c9-9b hls-none\"><h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading50_26d2c9-9b wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_26d2c9-9b\">What is a Midden? <\/h3><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column50_92b64f-f7 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column50_92b64f-f7 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column50_92b64f-f7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column50_92b64f-f7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column50_92b64f-f7 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column50_92b64f-f7 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column50_92b64f-f7{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column50_92b64f-f7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column50_92b64f-f7 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column50_92b64f-f7 inner-column-2\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"315\" height=\"290\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-14-at-8.53.55-AM.png\" alt=\"An assortment of bones and teeth.\" class=\"wp-image-310\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:100px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-14-at-8.53.55-AM.png 315w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-14-at-8.53.55-AM-300x276.png 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-14-at-8.53.55-AM-105x97.png 105w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,315px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_d9c0ee-e7, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_d9c0ee-e7[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_d9c0ee-e7\"]{text-align:center;font-size:18px;font-weight:900;font-style:normal;font-family:stratum-1-web;text-transform:uppercase;color:#003263;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_d9c0ee-e7 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_d9c0ee-e7[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_d9c0ee-e7\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_d9c0ee-e7 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_d9c0ee-e7[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_d9c0ee-e7\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_d9c0ee-e7[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_d9c0ee-e7\"] a, a.kb-advanced-heading-link.kt-adv-heading-link50_d9c0ee-e7{text-decoration:none;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_d9c0ee-e7, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_d9c0ee-e7[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_d9c0ee-e7\"]{text-align:center!important;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_d9c0ee-e7, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_d9c0ee-e7[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_d9c0ee-e7\"]{margin-top:0px;text-align:center!important;}}<\/style>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/why-are-middens-important\/\" class=\"kb-advanced-heading-link kt-adv-heading-link50_d9c0ee-e7 hls-none\"><h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading50_d9c0ee-e7 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_d9c0ee-e7\">Why are Middens Important?<\/h3><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column50_da1d15-fb > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column50_da1d15-fb > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column50_da1d15-fb > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column50_da1d15-fb > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column50_da1d15-fb > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column50_da1d15-fb > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column50_da1d15-fb{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column50_da1d15-fb > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column50_da1d15-fb > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column50_da1d15-fb inner-column-3\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4288\" height=\"2848\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red.jpg\" alt=\"The erosion of Fernald Point with a scale\" class=\"wp-image-162\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:100px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red.jpg 4288w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red-105x70.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red-317x211.jpg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red-423x281.jpg 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red-634x421.jpg 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red-846x562.jpg 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red-951x632.jpg 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Fernald-Point-erosion-close-red-1268x842.jpg 1268w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,4288px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_fa7c98-6a, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_fa7c98-6a[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_fa7c98-6a\"]{text-align:center;font-size:18px;font-weight:900;font-style:normal;font-family:stratum-1-web;text-transform:uppercase;color:#003263;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_fa7c98-6a mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_fa7c98-6a[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_fa7c98-6a\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_fa7c98-6a img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_fa7c98-6a[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_fa7c98-6a\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_fa7c98-6a[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_fa7c98-6a\"] a, a.kb-advanced-heading-link.kt-adv-heading-link50_fa7c98-6a{text-decoration:none;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_fa7c98-6a, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_fa7c98-6a[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_fa7c98-6a\"]{text-align:center!important;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_fa7c98-6a, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_fa7c98-6a[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_fa7c98-6a\"]{margin-top:0px;text-align:center!important;}}<\/style>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/why-are-middens-eroding\/\" class=\"kb-advanced-heading-link kt-adv-heading-link50_fa7c98-6a hls-none\"><h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading50_fa7c98-6a wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_fa7c98-6a\">Why are Middens Eroding?<\/h3><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id50_26d41c-d1 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id50_26d41c-d1 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id50_26d41c-d1 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(35% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 2 )\/3)))minmax(0, calc(30% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 2 )\/3)))minmax(0, calc(35% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem) * 2 )\/3)));}.kb-row-layout-id50_26d41c-d1 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id50_26d41c-d1 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-right:50px;padding-left:50px;grid-template-columns:repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id50_26d41c-d1 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id50_26d41c-d1 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-right:25px;padding-left:25px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id50_26d41c-d1 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id50_26d41c-d1 alignnone um-UMBlueIconSet wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-3-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column50_c2e2ff-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column50_c2e2ff-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column50_c2e2ff-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column50_c2e2ff-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column50_c2e2ff-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column50_c2e2ff-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column50_c2e2ff-e0{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column50_c2e2ff-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column50_c2e2ff-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column50_c2e2ff-e0 inner-column-1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4288\" height=\"2848\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red.jpg\" alt=\"Grouping of flowers found at Holmes Point\" class=\"wp-image-150\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:100px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red.jpg 4288w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red-105x70.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red-317x211.jpg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red-423x281.jpg 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red-634x421.jpg 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red-846x562.jpg 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red-951x632.jpg 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Holmes-Point-Flowers-red-1268x842.jpg 1268w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,4288px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_e5718d-32, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_e5718d-32[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_e5718d-32\"]{text-align:center;font-size:18px;font-weight:900;font-style:normal;font-family:stratum-1-web;text-transform:uppercase;color:#003263;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_e5718d-32 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_e5718d-32[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_e5718d-32\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_e5718d-32 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_e5718d-32[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_e5718d-32\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_e5718d-32[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_e5718d-32\"] a, a.kb-advanced-heading-link.kt-adv-heading-link50_e5718d-32{text-decoration:none;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_e5718d-32, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_e5718d-32[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_e5718d-32\"]{text-align:center!important;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_e5718d-32, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_e5718d-32[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_e5718d-32\"]{margin-top:0px;text-align:center!important;}}<\/style>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/why-are-shell-middens-culturally-sensitive\/\" class=\"kb-advanced-heading-link kt-adv-heading-link50_e5718d-32 hls-none\"><h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading50_e5718d-32 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_e5718d-32\">Why are Middens culturally sensitive?<\/h3><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column50_ab801b-17 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column50_ab801b-17 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column50_ab801b-17 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column50_ab801b-17 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column50_ab801b-17 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column50_ab801b-17 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column50_ab801b-17{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column50_ab801b-17 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column50_ab801b-17 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column50_ab801b-17 inner-column-2\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"6016\" height=\"4000\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1.jpg\" alt=\"Alice Kelley sitting on a rock writing in her field journal\" class=\"wp-image-84\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:100px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1.jpg 6016w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1-105x70.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1-317x211.jpg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1-423x281.jpg 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1-634x422.jpg 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1-846x563.jpg 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1-951x632.jpg 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/05\/DSC_0094-1-1268x843.jpg 1268w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,6016px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_7ea47e-7b, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_7ea47e-7b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_7ea47e-7b\"]{text-align:center;font-size:18px;font-weight:900;font-style:normal;font-family:stratum-1-web;text-transform:uppercase;color:#003263;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_7ea47e-7b mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_7ea47e-7b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_7ea47e-7b\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_7ea47e-7b img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_7ea47e-7b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_7ea47e-7b\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_7ea47e-7b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_7ea47e-7b\"] a, a.kb-advanced-heading-link.kt-adv-heading-link50_7ea47e-7b{text-decoration:none;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_7ea47e-7b, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_7ea47e-7b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_7ea47e-7b\"]{text-align:center!important;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_7ea47e-7b, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_7ea47e-7b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_7ea47e-7b\"]{margin-top:0px;text-align:center!important;}}<\/style>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/what-can-i-do\/\" class=\"kb-advanced-heading-link kt-adv-heading-link50_7ea47e-7b hls-none\"><h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading50_7ea47e-7b wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_7ea47e-7b\">What can I do?<\/h3><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column50_929312-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column50_929312-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column50_929312-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column50_929312-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column50_929312-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column50_929312-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column50_929312-d3{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column50_929312-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column50_929312-d3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column50_929312-d3 inner-column-3\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"809\" height=\"458\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-07-at-3.07.47-PM.png\" alt=\"A group of people discussing how to survey an archaeological site\" class=\"wp-image-229\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:100px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-07-at-3.07.47-PM.png 809w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-07-at-3.07.47-PM-300x170.png 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-07-at-3.07.47-PM-768x435.png 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-07-at-3.07.47-PM-105x59.png 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-07-at-3.07.47-PM-317x179.png 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-07-at-3.07.47-PM-423x239.png 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-07-at-3.07.47-PM-634x359.png 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/523\/2019\/06\/Screenshot-2019-06-07-at-3.07.47-PM-320x180.png 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,809px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_10eef3-6e, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_10eef3-6e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_10eef3-6e\"]{text-align:center;font-size:18px;font-weight:900;font-style:normal;font-family:stratum-1-web;text-transform:uppercase;color:#003263;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_10eef3-6e mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_10eef3-6e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_10eef3-6e\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_10eef3-6e img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_10eef3-6e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_10eef3-6e\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_10eef3-6e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_10eef3-6e\"] a, a.kb-advanced-heading-link.kt-adv-heading-link50_10eef3-6e{text-decoration:none;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_10eef3-6e, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_10eef3-6e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_10eef3-6e\"]{text-align:center!important;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_10eef3-6e, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading50_10eef3-6e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_10eef3-6e\"]{margin-top:0px;text-align:center!important;}}<\/style>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/registration\/\" class=\"kb-advanced-heading-link kt-adv-heading-link50_10eef3-6e hls-none\"><h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading50_10eef3-6e wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading50_10eef3-6e\">Registration<\/h3><\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Three factors are causing the erosion of Maine\u2019s shell middens: Coastal erosion is caused by a combination of sea level rise and storm-driven waves. &nbsp;Sea level rise is documented by four tide-gauges on the Maine coast (Kittery, Portland, Bar Harbor, and Eastport). &nbsp;In Portland, the tide gauge record for the last X years shows a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":624,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-50","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Why are Middens Eroding? - Maine Midden Minders - University of Maine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/middenminders\/why-are-middens-eroding\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" 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