Troubled Waters : developing a new approach to maritime and underwater cultural heritage in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Maritime archaeologists, historians and heritage managers

have struggled to position maritime and underwater cultural heritage (MUCH)

in the sub-Saharan African heritage context. Management of MUCH resources,

based on Western legal systems, has focused almost exclusively on shipwreck sites. Management strategies have been implemented to stop treasure hunting and limit the damage caused by salvage activities. The application of internationally accepted MUCH management practices has, however, failed to engage the publics of many African nations. This has meant that the application of regulatory strategies has been a challenging task which has ultimately failed to successfully manage MUCH resources or engage sub-Saharan communities. This research proposes, applies and assesses alternative management and engagement models at several southern-African case study sites, and contributes towards establishing a new approach to MUCH. The approach examines the context in which the heritage resource exists, including the socio-political and economic environments, as well as the available mechanisms in place, and available, for research and management. It considers the scope of MUCH in a regional context and seeks to establish some preliminary guidelines for management strategies built on local relevance and buy-in. Finally, it offers a management approach that is beneficial to both professional practitioners and community leaders.