By Justin Rowlatt
The climate editor.
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The experts at Roman fort Vindolanda fear that climate change is drying the soil that protects ancient objects.
The soils that protect the treasures buried in the UK are drying out as a result of climate change.
A Roman toilet seat, the world's oldest boxing glove, and the oldest handwritten letter by a woman are some of the extraordinary objects discovered in at-risk British peatlands.
Archeologists say that climate change could undermine our understanding of our past.
There are 22,500 archaeological sites in the UK.
About 10% of the UK is covered by waterlogged soils that are drying out because of changing weather patterns.
Wood, leather, and textiles do not rot because of the small amount of oxygen in peat. They can survive for thousands of years because of the stable anoxic chemistry of the soil.
Oxygen can enter the system if the soils are dry. artefacts can rot quickly if that happens.
It could cost hundreds of millions of pounds to Excavat these potentially huge sites.
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The baby's shoe was in the soil for over 2,000 years.
The trustees of the fort fear that the process is already under way.
In the past decade, the land at Magna has fallen by up to a meter. The chief archaeologist at the site fears that it is evidence of desiccation.
He says that an historical time capsule is at risk because only a small part of the site has been excavated.
"This place has the potential to be quite frankly, amazing," said Dr Birley. Everything the Romans used here for 300 or 400 years could have been preserved in the same state it was thrown away, which is an incredible opportunity.
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The Romans used a toilet seat that was found in the UK.
An idea of the objects that could be hidden at Magna is given by another fort a few miles along Hadrian's Wall.
The world's oldest boxing gloves have been found and you can still see the boxer's knuckle on one of them.
More Roman footwear has been found here than anywhere else.
The oldest handwritten message was found there.
The wife of the commanding officer of the nearby fort wrote a note inviting her friend Lepidina to her birthday party.
"How much do you want me to spend on you at my birthday party?" wroteClaudia. You will make the day more enjoyable. I hope you can make it. My dearest soul, goodbye, sister.
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A boxing glove, combs, toys and shoes were found at the site of Roman forts.
The lives of ordinary people in ancient times were connected by objects like this.
"This sort of stuff doesn't normally survive, " says Dr Birley, who works at both sites. It can give us insight into what life was like on the Northern frontier over 2,000 years ago.
He says the priority is to find out what is happening underground.
Every hour, electronic equipment measures the water flow and temperature.
The image is from the same source.
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The Lindow man was found in a peat soil.
Dr Taylor is trying to understand the processes at work by analyzing the chemicals in the soil.
She says it would be a catastrophe if the peat dries. The risk is that they will disappear. If we don't look at what's happening now, we will lose our heritage.
The first test trenches will be dug at the site next year. It's the earliest they can start because of the cost and labor needed.
If the condition of the peat is changing rapidly and the treasures are lost, a full excavation may be necessary.
Changing weather patterns are threatening the survival of Roman remains. There are 22,500 archaeological sites in the UK.
A team of researchers, led by Dr Rosie Everett, are assessing the effect of climate change on peatland archaeology in the UK.
The entire sweep of the country's history is under threat from a host of historic sites in the peatlands.
Bronze Age burial sites as well as the remains of more modern settlements and industrial activities can be found here.
"Peatlands represent a small part of the ecology of Britain, but they have huge potential to tell us about our past."
Archeologists working at a dry site might find 10% of what was once there, but at a peatland site they may find as much as 90% of the material culture of ancient communities.
The loss of peatlands would have a big impact on the country's history and climate.
She thinks there should be more efforts to protect them.
Dr Birley agrees. "If we lose places like this, we lose our connection to the people who lived in this island 2000 years ago," he says.
We don't get to learn as much as we could about them. Part of our own history and heritage is lost.
Archaeology.
Peatlands.
Climate change.
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