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Sea-level change around southern Africa (southern Namibia, South Africa, southern Mozambique) since Termination I has been quantified using a variety of indicators. Existing and new data are reviewed to provide a baseline for future studies and identify key research needs and opportunities in the region. While the southern African records broadly agree with other far-field records, detailed Holocene records present as-yet unresolved discrepancies with glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) model predictions. Two domains, the west coast and east coast are considered. Radiocarbon dated saltmarsh facies and marine shells in life position provide the basis for the west coast sea-level curve back to 9 cal. ka BP. Given the age and elevation uncertainties, a Mid-Holocene highstand of +2 to +4 m is suggested between 7.3 and 6 cal ka BP as are several Late Holocene oscillations of < 1 m amplitude. On the east coast, fewer data are available for the Mid to Late Holocene (post 7 cal. ka BP) compared to the west, but many submerged indicators are available back to 13 cal. ka BP. Reappraisal of existing data suggests a sea-level curve similar to that of the west coast. In both instances, the resolution of existing sea-level index points is neither sufficient to accurately constrain the magnitude and timing of the peak highstand nor the existence of minor inferred subsequent oscillations. Between 13 and 7 cal ka yr BP chronological and geomorphological evidence (submerged shoreline complexes) suggest several alternating periods of slow and rapid sea-level change. Despite abundant data, the indicator resolution to quantify these changes remains elusive.

The duration of shoreline occupation at a given sea-level, coastal response to sea-level change and the controls on preservation of various shoreline elements can be recognized by detailed examination of submerged shorelines on the continental shelf. Using bathymetric and seismic observations, this article documents the evolution and preservation of an incised valley and lithified barrier complex between À65 m and À50 m mean sea-level on a wave-dominated continental shelf. The barrier complex is preserved as a series of aeolianite or beachrock ridges backed by laterally extensive backbarrier sediments. The ridges include prograded cuspate lagoonal shoreline features similar to those found in contemporary lagoons. The incised valley trends shore-parallel behind the barrier complex and records an early phase of valley filling, followed by a phase of extensive lagoonal sedimentation beyond the margins of the incised bedrock valley. Sea-level stability at the outer barrier position (ca À65 m) enabled accumulation of a substantial coastal barrier that remained intact during a phase of subsequent slow sealevel rise to À58 m when the lagoon formed. These lagoonal sediments are stripped seawards by bay ravinement processes which caused the formation of several prograded marginal cuspate features. An abrupt rise in sea-level to À40 m, correlated with melt-water pulse 1B, enabled the preservation of thick lagoonal sediments at the top of the incised valley fill and preservation on the sea bed of the cemented core of the barriers. This situation is unique to subtropical coastlines where early diagenesis is possible. The overlying sandy sediment from the uncemented upper portion of the barriers is dispersed by ravinement, partly burying the ridges and protecting the underlying sediments. The high degree of barrier or shoreline preservation is attributed to rapid overstepping of the shoreline, early cementation in favourable climatic conditions and the protection of the barrier cores by sand sheet draping.

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