Partners

• AFRICA 2009 Programme
• National Museums of Namibia
• National Heritage Council of Namibia
• Southern African Rock Art Project

Financial partners

• Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA)
• National Heritage Board, Sweden
• UNESCO World Heritage Center
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland
• DGCS Directorate General of Development Co-operation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Italy

Duration: 17 July - 10 August 2006

Place: Windhoek, Twyfelfontein and Brandberg, Namibia

Participants
Eighteen participants from sixteen sub-Saharan countries, namely Botswana, Chad, Eritrea, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho, Seychelles, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland,  Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The participants were drawn from heritage and university institutions in the region.

Aim
The course was aimed at developing competences in the management and conservation of rock paintings and engravings found on the continent.

Course Activities
The one-month course was divided into three main components. The first two weeks dealt with the recording and condition surveys of Rock Art sites. Participants were introduced to the use of sketches and photography in recording and identifying problems associated with this heritage. The thrid week dealt with issues related to the presentation of Rock Art sites to the general public. The main emphasis was on minimum interventions. Current trends and approaches to site presentation were highlighted, with a focus on Africa. The final week focused on the problems and issues associated with the nomination of African rock art sites to the World Heritage List.

The hands-on course took places mainly at the proposed world heritage site of Twyfelfontein and Brandberg. Here the participants worked in three groups to develop site recording, condition survey and site presentation strategies. The results were then compiled and given to the National Heritage Council for consideration and implementation.

Main achievements
By the end of the course participants:

• acquired basic skills in recording and conducting condition surveys for rock art;
• developed techniques and methods for presenting rock art to the public;
• developed an awareness of the requirements for nominating rock art sites to the World Heritage List.
• shared experiences in rock art heritage conservation.

updated on: 19 December, 2007