ICArEHB will study the vulnerability of coastal and riverside archaeological sites
The funded project, entitled "Heritage at Risk: Assessing Climate Impacts on Prehistoric Coastal and Riverine Archaeological Sites in Portugal" (Blue Heritage), aims to assess the vulnerability of archaeological sites to the impacts of climate change, with a particular focus on prehistoric contexts located in coastal and riverine areas.
The initiative addresses a critical gap in the planning and protection of national cultural heritage. It proposes the development of risk models, rapid response protocols, and digital monitoring tools, including a new mobile application, RISCUS – the Early Warning System for Archaeological Heritage at Risk. The goal is to support policymakers and technicians in implementing mitigation and territorial adaptation strategies.
"This funding represents a decisive step towards integrating archaeological heritage into the debate on climate change and ensuring that Portugal has robust technical tools to protect a unique and irreplaceable legacy," says Célia Gonçalves, researcher responsible for the project and coordinator of the Adaptations to Coastal Environments line at ICArEHB .
The project will be developed in collaboration with strategic partners, including the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR) and the Municipal Councils of Loulé, Vila do Bispo and Salvaterra de Magos, ensuring the territorial, institutional and political validation of the proposed solutions.
Scheduled to run from September 2025 to March 2026, the Blue Heritage project reinforces the role of ICArEHB and the University of Algarve in producing scientific knowledge applied to public policies, aligning with the Portugal 2030 Strategy and international commitments regarding climate action and preservation of cultural heritage.
About Science4Policy 2025The Science4Policy program, promoted by PLANAPP, supports research projects with a direct impact on the design and implementation of public policies in Portugal. In 2025, 20 studies were funded in different strategic areas, with a total investment of over one million euros.
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