Opportunistic quarrying and its impact on the Singida cultural landscape

Systematic archaeological research in the Singida region (central Tanzania), which began in 2021, has revealed a significant archaeological heritage that can contribute to improving our knowledge of diachronic settlement dynamics from the Early Stone Age to modern times. However, both the archaeological heritage and the surrounding landscape are deeply affected by the impacts of unregulated economic activities, including diffuse opportunistic quarrying, mining, and agricultural practices. The paper introduces a discussion on the fragile balance between economic development and conservation of the natural and cultural heritage in the area and discusses the medium and long-term actions proposed to mitigate the damage and risks to the natural and cultural heritage through a multidisciplinary and participatory approach.