Decaying Giants: A Longitudinal Photographic Assessment of the Eduard Bohlen Shipwreck on Namibia's Skeleton Coast.

This study presents a longitudinal analysis of the Eduard Bohlen shipwreck, located along Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, employing photographic image analysis to evaluate structural deterioration over 27 years (1990–2017). Drawing on a curated series of images from institutional archives and academic sources, the research applies a visual comparative method to assess preservation status and identify change diagnostic features (CDFs) across multiple time points. The central aims are twofold: to document the extent and nature of the wreck’s physical decay, and to assess the efficacy of photographic analysis as a non-invasive, cost-effective tool in maritime heritage monitoring. Results reveal progressive degradation attributable to environmental factors such as salt-laden fog, wind-driven sand abrasion, and chemical corrosion, as well as biological and human disturbances. The study demonstrates that systematic photographic documentation—when longitudinally applied—can yield valuable insights into heritage site dynamics, particularly in geographically remote or logistically inaccessible locations. The findings support the integration of photographic methodologies into broader conservation strategies and call for enhanced collaboration between heritage authorities and local stakeholders. Recommendations include expanding the methodological toolkit through drone imagery and AI-driven change detection to improve future heritage assessments and inform in situ preservation planning.