Glacial archaeological vestiges are often exceptional but also fragile. The IceWatcher mobile application allows you to adopt the right behaviour and to inform the Valais (Switzerland) Archeology department as soon as possible in order to implement conservation measures.
Remains that are not negligible
What to do with a fragment of wood, fabric, leather, metal or bone discovered in the high mountains? Whose passage does this artefact attest to? Under what conditions was this transit made? Who may have preceded you to this location and when could this passage date back to?
These are some of the questions you can help answer using the IceWatcher application.
Vestiges in danger
The archaeological remains preserved by ice are often rare and of exceptional quality. Indeed, compared to other archaeological contexts, only ice preserves certain organic materials. However, as soon as they are removed from the frozen ground that protected them, these objects begin to deteriorate and can quickly disintegrate completely.
We all have a role to play
It is impossible to cover all the glacial areas that could reveal ancient remains. Therefore, only the active participation of mountaineers, with appropriate behaviour, will allow the study and conservation of these extraordinary evidences from the past.