The Lure of the Beach

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A human and global take on a beloved vacation spot, the beach evokes sensations like crashing surf, salty air, and wet sand underfoot. This environment has attracted humans for millennia, yet our relationship with it has evolved, reflecting the tides of time. This chronicle explores humanity's history with the coast, from the seaside pleasure palaces of Roman elites and medieval pilgrims’ aquatic rituals to modern resort towns. The narrative traces the material and social economies of the beach, examining shifts in the social status of beachgoers, advancements in transportation, and the evolution of fashion—from nudity to Victorianism and back. It also highlights the geographic spread of beach culture from England to France, across the Mediterranean, and from nineteenth-century America to the world. As climate change and rising sea levels threaten our coasts, we face a contemporary reckoning regarding our relationship and responsibilities to these ecosystems. This exploration reveals that the beach's history—whether as a commodified destination, a site of ecological beauty, or a battleground for public access—reflects a deeply human story that is increasingly urgent to tell.