IRN RAHMSA – Rock Art Heritage Management in Southern Africa (2023-2027)
In short
The International Research Network “Rock Art Heritage Management in Southern Africa” (IRN RAHMSA), funded by the CNRS and various cofunders, brings together researchers from diverse backgrounds (anthropology, archaeology, geosciences, heritage studies, human geography), from Botswana, France, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, all sharing a common interest in rock art. The mission of the IRN RAHMSA is to contribute to the dissemination of up-to-date techniques and methodologies in rock art studies, in connection with the results of the COSMO-ART research project.
© COSMO-ART programme
What?
The IRN RAHMSA brings together researchers from diverse backgrounds (anthropology, archaeology, geosciences, heritage studies, human geography) and from five countries (Botswana, France, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe) to address the issues raised by rock art heritage management in Southern Africa. In this region, aspects of the widely implemented values-based heritage management doctrine are challenged, like in other parts of the world where culture and population diversity generate overlapping and sometimes conflicting sets of values. Although recent initiatives seek to better account for diversity, they face difficulties in addressing multi-faceted, contextual, conflicting and evolving values, as well as the lack of a holistic and integrated methodological framework. RAHMSA proposes to address this methodological lack by joining the expertise and comparing the perspectives and practices of researchers and heritage practitioners from diverse backgrounds to identify cross-cultural and interacting interest points, adopting to a cosmopolitan approach.
RAHMSA aims to encourage the practical application of results from COSMO-ART and to structure the regional research on the preservation, presentation and tourism development of rock art sites in Southern Africa.
Where?
The RAHMSA network includes South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe in Southern Africa, and France.
Who?
The RAHMSA network gathers 10 head institutions:
- Botswana National Museum
- French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS)
- National Museum of Natural History, France
- Savoie Mont Blanc University, France
- French Ministry of Culture
- University of Bordeaux, France
- University Toulouse Jean Jaurès, France
- University of Namibia
- Sol Plaatje University, South Africa
- University of Zimbabwe
Members of these instutions are organised in working groups aiming to encourage discussions and debates between partners:
- Documenting and recording rock art sites;
- Uses and values attributed to rock art sites;
- Tourist development and public presentation.
IFAS-Research is a partner of this International Research Network.
How?
The IRN RAHMSA benefits from and expands on the ANR COSMO-ART research project (2022-2026). This programme, targetting research actions in South Africa and Namibia, proposes the cosmopolitan approach as a tool to resolve the mentioned challenges facing rock art heritage management. It aims to better fulfill requirements of sustainability by reconciling various perceptions of rock art heritage and development policies.
To achieve this, RAHMSA’s main actions are:
- The organisation of five training workshops, one each year and in each partner country. They will include sessions of training and skill building, round tables for scientific debates, as well as conferences directed at the general public.
- Workshop 1: “Documenting Rock Art Sites”, 31 August – 7 September 2023, Erongo Mountains, Namibia
- Workshop 2: “Presenting Rock Art Site”, 27 November – 3 December 2024, National Museum of Prehistory, Les Eyzies, France
- Workshop 3: “Towards a Sustainable Community Heritage Tourism”, 24 March – 2 April 2025, Kimberley & Limpopo, South Africa
- Workshop 4: “Guiding Visitors at Rock Art Sites”, 14 – 21 September 2026, Masunga Area, Francistown, Botswana
- Workshop 5: “Tourism in remote areas”, 2027, Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe
- The creation and publication of practical guidebooks based on the workshop outcomes, aimed at promoting the application of a cosmopolitan approach to the preservation, promotion and development of rock art sites.
- It’s also organising associated public events, such as conference cycles, panel discussions and exhibitions.
