The Impact of Coastal Erosion on the Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani

The impacts of climate change on cultural heritage sites are wide-ranging and global. Coastal heritage sites are at particular risk from a range of impacts including increased storminess, more extreme weather systems and rising sea-levels.

Subsurface archaeological deposits are also being eroded resulting in lost artefacts and further undermining the integrity of the site.

This process has been ongoing for decades but has worsened significantly in recent decades. In 2004 it was placed on the World Heritage in Danger list and in 2008, the entire island was included on the World Monuments Watch.

Erosion at Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara is getting worse. While the adaptation efforts of the Tanzanian government and the international communities have limited the immediate impact of erosion on key buildings, the loss of minor structures and archaeological deposits at the site is ongoing.