The dugout canoe from São Tomé and Príncipe Islands: from the tree to the sea

The aim of this article and the research mission that originated the work described here is to evaluate the scientific potential of the maritime cultural heritage of São Tomé and Príncipe. Based on the available data, only one article on the archaeological potential of the islands has been published, in 2022. The work presented here focuses on the study of São Toméan canoes, documenting and understanding their manufacturing process from the cutting of the tree to their use on the water. Therefore, this work has more to do with ethnography than with nautical and maritime archaeology in its genesis. The symbiosis between these disciplines arises from the necessity to document traditions, ways of life, and vessels that are rapidly disappearing on a daily basis. The tradition of crafting crafts from trees is disappearing due to the loss of forests and the difficulty in finding suitable trees and species. Additionally, younger generations lack interest in this tradition, and fibreglass has been introduced as an alternative. This study aims to analyze and compare an almost forgotten island reality that struggles to survive.