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<p>Glaciers worldwide are undergoing accelerated down-wasting and retreat due to a warming climate, increasingly leading to the melt-out and exposure of human remains, either from past epochs, or of forensic significance, in alpine environments. In the context of the UN’s 2025 Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, the impact of glacier retreat on the preservation and analysis of human remains is studied. Exposed human remains need to be thoroughly documented and recovered in a swift and effective manner to prevent information loss, which can affect the identification and post-mortem analysis of individuals. To better manage the retrieval and analysis of these remains, an understanding of the taphonomic alterations brought about by the glacial environment needs to be established. The existing knowledge of the intersection between human remains and changing glacial environments is reviewed according to the published literature and case studies, with the goal of identifying any challenges and gaps in current understanding. Finally, future research in this emerging field, including the unique taphonomy associated with glaciers, the ephemeral nature of the archaeological material, methods of predicting the location of remains, and best practice for their timely recovery, are identified and discussed.</p>

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Taphonomic impact on human remains in rapidly changing glacial environments: current insights and future directions

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月18日

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  • Lauren E. Gill,
  • Caroline Clason,
  • Daniel Gaudio

摘要

Glaciers worldwide are undergoing accelerated down-wasting and retreat due to a warming climate, increasingly leading to the melt-out and exposure of human remains, either from past epochs, or of forensic significance, in alpine environments. In the context of the UN’s 2025 Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, the impact of glacier retreat on the preservation and analysis of human remains is studied. Exposed human remains need to be thoroughly documented and recovered in a swift and effective manner to prevent information loss, which can affect the identification and post-mortem analysis of individuals. To better manage the retrieval and analysis of these remains, an understanding of the taphonomic alterations brought about by the glacial environment needs to be established. The existing knowledge of the intersection between human remains and changing glacial environments is reviewed according to the published literature and case studies, with the goal of identifying any challenges and gaps in current understanding. Finally, future research in this emerging field, including the unique taphonomy associated with glaciers, the ephemeral nature of the archaeological material, methods of predicting the location of remains, and best practice for their timely recovery, are identified and discussed.