Climate change, coastal heritage digitization, and local community engagement at the ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani World Heritage Site, Tanzania

Kilwa Kisiwani is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the coast of Tanzania. Monuments such as the Great Mosque and Husuni Kubwa, along with shipwrecks, ceramics, and beads, testify to the growth of Swahili culture and commerce from the late 1st millennium A.D. until the 19th century A.D. This heritage is threatened by climate change involving rising sea levels, increased vegetation growth, and tropical cyclones causing erosion, flooding, altering marine ecosystems and resources, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater wells. Archaeological and paleoenvironmental evidence suggests previous climatic changes led to changing settlement patterns. Projects have been initiated, linked to a National Monument Record database, to digitize and record endangered intangible and tangible heritage, including training in drone surveys, underwater shipwreck recording, a mobile app, and excavation of water wells. These projects have a local community input that link with a museum, festivals, cultural tours, music videos, and local products to bring economic benefit and sustainable living.