What Rising Sea Levels Mean for Bagerhat

Salt water is deteriorating these 600 year old mosques

Bagerhat mosqueCyArk

How is salt water deteriorating these 600 year old mosques?

Bagerhat visitorsCyArk

Sitting on the cusp of the tidally active portion of the Ganges Delta, Bagerhat offers an exceptional observatory to mark the march of climate change.  

3D interior in BagerhatCyArk

The Old Mosque City is located 60 kilometres (37 mi) from the coast of the Bay of Bengal. For example, 2009 modelling indicated that 32 cm of sea level rise would bring the ingress of salinity to just west of Bagerhat while 88 cm of SLR would leave the area squarely within the salinity zone.    

Prof. Mahfuz Ud. Darain showing efflorescence on the walls. Bagerhat, BangladeshCyArk

Professor Khandokar Mahfuz-ud-Darain, of nearby Khulna University has observed that the “archaeological sites situated in southern Bangladesh, where the salinity is significantly higher, have been experiencing efflorescence, which is ruining the structures.”  

Bagerhat efflorecenceCyArk

What is efflorescence?

Efflorescence is the migration of salt to the surface of a porous material, where it forms a coating. There is a general perception that there is increased efflorescence, but the dynamic (i.e. method of introduction) is not well documented.  

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Salt Efflorescence Diagram Video, From the collection of: CyArk
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Discover how CyArk uses 3D documentation to empower local experts.

Find out more about ICOMOS' efforts to increase engagement of cultural heritage in climate action here.

Credits: Story

Andrew Potts, ICOMOS Working Group on Cultural Heritage and Climate Change.

This project was made possible through a collaboration between the Department of Archaeology, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh     

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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