MASS WASTING RECURRENCE AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE VULNERABILITY IN THE VIRGINIA BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS

Mass wasting events in the form of debris flows are well-documented as recurring processes in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains. Triggered by intensive rainfall on steep, soil-mantled slopes, the impact of sliding is documented for Holocene Native American archaeological sites. A cluster of these events occurred at the onset of the Early Woodland cultural period (3000 YPB), resulting in the abandonment of portions of the Blue Ridge. Currently, higher intensity rainfall and subsequent erosion is impacting cultural heritage sites throughout the region, and the frequency of debris flows is expected to increase with climate change. Interdisciplinary research into the likelihood and locations of mass wasting recurrence is critical for assessing the vulnerability of cultural resources and the prioritization of field work.