IRN RAHMSA training workshop series (Workshop #4) - Guiding Visitors at Rock Art Sites

The  workshop aims to share experiences on the general theme of how to organise the activity of “guiding people at rock art sites.” It will take into account preservation-related aspects (how to guide visitors without causing damage), narrative aspects (what types of content to present and how to construct 
interpretive narratives addressing different dimensions of rock art sites), as well as economic and social aspects (how to develop tourism around visits to rock art sites and how to involve local communities). These reflections will also be cross-examined in relation to the different types of audiences that may be welcomed at the sites (general visitors, school groups, various forms of disability).  

It is directed towards graduate and postdoctoral students, heritage practitioners and people involved in local sustainable cultural tourism, primarily from the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The workshop will include site visits, lectures and group work. Working groups will be asked to reflect on the proposed themes, drawing on the participants' own experience, on the rock art sites visits and talks during the week. All participants will be invited to put their experiences into perspective and reflect on the issues related to rock art guiding experience in a synthesised report and a final collective discussion. 

Venue:
Located in northeastern Botswana, about 60 km north of the Francistown region, the Masunga area contains several dozen rock art sites, including the Nlapkwane, Moroka and Zwenshambe rock art. The region is also characterized by strong cultural dynamics, illustrated by the organisation of festivals such as the Domboshaba Cultural Festival and the Bakgatla Celebrate Kgatleng Dikopelo Cultural Festival. This region provides a particularly relevant context for addressing the theme of guiding at rock art sites and for reflecting on the development of sustainable local rock art tourism.

All participants will be provided with shared accommodation and full catering during the workshop, as well as transport to and from the Masunga area from Gaborone, free of charge. Participants must, however, cover the cost of travel between their homes and Gaborone. Those requiring financial assistance with these costs may apply for a grant (see below).

Main organisers:
University of Botswana (Gaborone, Botswana): Phenyo Thebe
National Museum of Botswana (Gaborone, Botswana): Kabelo Kenneth Mogami & Mathe Lebonetse
University of Sol Plaatje (Kimberley, South-Africa): Lourenço Pinto
PACEA-UMR 5199 (Université de Bordeaux, France): Stéphane Hœrlé
EDYTEM-UMR 5204 (Université Savoie Mont Blanc, France): Mélanie Duval

Eligibility:
Applications are open to graduate students, post-docs, heritage practitioners working with rock art and people involved in local sustainable cultural tourism linked with rock art. Applications from residents of SADC countries are strongly encouraged.

Costs:
For successful applicants there will be no fee to attend the workshop. Food and accommodation will be provided for the duration of the workshop. Since food and accommodation will be provided, attendees will not be paid daily allowances.

Subsidies:
A limited number of grants are available to contribute to the travel costs of those attending the workshop. Should you require such a grant, please motivate (and provide an estimate of the costs) when applying.

Applications:
Email to anr.cosmo.art[at]gmail.com:
1) a brief CV with full contact details including an email address;
2) a one-page letter explaining why the workshop will be useful for your studies/work/research;
3) (when applicable) a letter of support/authorisation from your current employer.

Closing date for applications: 24th March 2026
The Scientific Committee will review the applications
and candidates will be informed of the outcome in early June.

Scientific Committee:
Catherine Cretin, National Museum of Prehistory, France
Lenishwa Engelbrecht, National Heritage Council of Namibia, Namibia
Ancila Nhamo, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
John Parkington, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Phillip Segadika, Dept of National Museum and Monuments, Botswana

Context:
The workshop is organised through IRN RAHMSA, an international collaboration network gathering together teams from Botswana, France, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe researchers from backgrounds as diverse as anthropology, archaeology, geosciences, heritage studies, human geography, with a common interest in rock art. IRN RAHMSA is funded by the French CNRS and various co-funders. It is the vocation of IRN RAHMSA to contribute to the spreading of up-to-date techniques and methodologies in rock art studies, in connection with the results from the COSMO-ART research project (https://cosmo-art.org/).