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The cultural landscape of the Shashe-Limpopo Confluence Zone: Threats and challenges of preserving a World Heritage setting

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Pikirayi, Innocent (2005) The cultural landscape of the Shashe-Limpopo Confluence Zone: Threats and challenges of preserving a World Heritage setting. In: 15th ICOMOS General Assembly and International Symposium: ‘Monuments and sites in their setting - conserving cultural heritage in changing townscapes and landscapes’, 17 – 21 oct 2005, Xi'an, China. [Conference or Workshop Item]

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Abstract (in English)

The Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, located in the middle Limpopo basin of northern South Africa (and extending into adjacent Botswana and Zimbabwe), has, since 2003, been placed on the prestigious World Heritage List. A management plan is in place, largely guided by South African heritage legislation and the various international charters for conservation and restoration of such world heritage settings. This presentation critically examines the heritage challenges and threats to Mapungubwe in the light of its newly acquired role in South African history. I argue that sound heritage management should take into account community concerns, as well as stakeholder involvement. The presentation shifts the management aspect towards some research institutions in South Africa, and discusses issues of restitution and repatriation of cultural objects taken from the landscape. In this context, the management of the cultural landscape is also about managing the process of change to take into account indigenous values. Evaluation missions conducted in preparation for the nomination of the landscape for world heritage listing overlooked this aspect, but can be fully integrated into the management plan.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Authors:
Authors
Email
Pikirayi, Innocent
UNSPECIFIED
Languages: English
Keywords: cultural landscape; World Heritage List; archaeological landscape; local communities; management; management plan; conservation
Subjects: M. WORLD HERITAGE CONVENTION > 03. World Heritage List
H. HERITAGE TYPOLOGIES > 06. Cultural landscapes
H. HERITAGE TYPOLOGIES > 28. World Heritage
M. WORLD HERITAGE CONVENTION > 07. Management plan
E. CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION > 05. Sites
Name of monument, town, site, museum: Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, South Africa
UNESCO WHC Number: 1099
ICOMOS Special Collection: Scientific Symposium (ICOMOS General Assemblies)
ICOMOS Special Collection Volume: 2005, 15th
Depositing User: Jose Garcia
Date Deposited: 08 Nov 2010 07:22
Last Modified: 13 Jan 2011 19:14
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URI: https://openarchive.icomos.org/id/eprint/340

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