Shoreline dynamics and cultural heritage sites in Kenya, Tanzania, and Senegal: integrating remote sensing and archaeological knowledge

Coastal areas in Africa are vital for settlement, livelihoods, and socio–economic development, and host diverse heritage sites from the early Stone Age to the present. However, these sites face growing threats from development and climate change. The absence of regional sea level models and digitized archaeological records hampers effective threat mapping and mitigation. A new digital dataset documents the distribution and characteristics of archaeological sites in Kenya, Tanzania, and Senegal. It combines diachronic coastal change analysis (1985–2022) using advanced remote sensing. This preliminary African study reveals coastline retreat near heritage sites in Mombasa (Kenya) and Tanga (Tanzania) and shoreline increase in the Saloum Delta (Senegal). Impacts vary, but many sites remain moderately affected. Still, land use changes, especially industrial and urban development, pose significant risks. These findings offer a valuable evidence base for policy development, adaptive management, and targeted actions to safeguard Africa's cultural heritage in changing coastal environments.