Case Studies:Case study 3

Coastal Geomorphological Change and Settlement Adaptation in Tanzania from the sixth to fifteenth century AD
Edward Pollard

Abstract
Archaeological survey of the coastal and intertidal zone around Kilwa Kisiwani in Tanzania has provided extensive evidence of geomorphological change affecting settlement over two millennia. During the second half of the 1st millennium AD sea level was higher in East Africa by close to one metre. The geomorphological evidence points to a likely fall in sea level, of c. 1-2m, between the 10th and 14th centuries, which allowed the appearance of greater areas of low sand terraces and spits upon which settlement developed. A sea level rise, of c. 1m, from the late 14th century brought erosion and prompted the building of protective sea walls.

Keywords: Tanzania, Kilwa Kisiwani, sea level change, geomorphological change, coastal settlement adaptation

[[media:SASSACoastalSedimentCS4.pdf|Coastal Geomorphological Change and Settlement Adaption in Tanzania from the Sixth to Fifteenth Centuries AD]]

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