The Chongoene Archaeological and Biocultural Heritage Park in Mozambique

CHONGOENE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND BIOCULTURAL HERITAGE PARK, GAZA PROVINCE

WITH THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE GERMAN GERDA HENKEL FOUNDATION

Maputo, October 12th, 2021

The Chongoene Archaeological and Biocultural Heritage Park project, in Gaza Province, Mozambique is financed by the “patrimonies” funding initiative of the GERMAN GERDA HENKEL FOUNDATION – STIFTUNG for a period of 24 months. The project is being coordinated by a tripartite Mozambique University initiative linking Eduardo Mondlane University, UniSave and Maputo Pedagogical University, developed in direct response to the need to preserve and conserve Chongoene’s threatened archaeological and ecological resources, considered here as a significant component of Gaza Province’s biocultural heritage. Therefore, it involves the participation of the Gaza Provincial Government, partners, and young career research assistants.

The project is coordinated by Dr. Solange Macamo from Eduardo Mondlane University. Prof. Paul Lane from the University of Cambridge, UK, serves as the project’s international biocultural heritage advisor. The project grew out of the Rising from The Depths (RfTD) Network as implemented in Mozambique and financed by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council’s Global Challenge Research Funds. It was also inspired by the Biocultural Heritage Project: Developing New Heritage Industries programme being implemented between Eduardo Mondlane University and Uppsala University, Sweden, and funded by SIDA. Additionally, the project draws on the experiences and expertise of the National Park Service in the USA, through previous visits by Dr. Macamo to Charleston Park, South Caroline.

The work at Chongoene consists of three conservation and protection phases and a fourth training phase:

1 – The creation of a public use area and delimitation of the site boundaries along with planning for protection zones and interpretive signage;

2 – Construction of a pathway with interpretive panels and signs within the Park and road signage;

3 – Construction of a Heritage and Visitor Centre hosting exhibitions about the Park, and where curios and information materials can be provided for sale and a security cabin, to help to guide visitors and ensure the security of the Park at the same time;

4 – Using the RfTD Network approach, members of the local coastal community will be identified as guides, guards, and gardeners, and receive training in how to undertake routine monitoring of the protected area and recording of any newly exposed archaeological remains and monitoring ecological changes. Ultimately, they will become recognized as community heritage stewards and it is proposed that they should be hired by the Gaza Provincial Government when the latter takes over management of the Park.