Fourteen Years of Archaeological and Heritage Research in the Iringa Region, Tanzania

Abstract

The Iringa Region is famous among archaeologists for the Acheulean site of Isimila, and among historians as the stronghold where Chief Mkwawa led the Hehe resistance against German colonial forces. However, our research reveals that Iringa has a rich archaeological record that spans the period from the Stone Age into the recent past. This article summarizes the results of 14 years of research by our team, the Iringa Region Archaeological Project (IRAP). Since 2006, IRAP members have recorded 67 sites, and this only scratches the surface of the archaeological potential in the area. These sites, some of which were recorded in conjunction with local participants, have archaeological component characteristic of the Early, Middle, and Later Stone Age, the Iron Age, and the recent past. We consider the archaeological and historical value of Iringa to be high and hope that this work inspires future research, tourism, and conservation efforts in the area. Résumé La région d'Iringa en Tanzanie est. reconnue par les archéologues pour le site acheuléen d'Isimila et parmi les historiens comme le fief où le chef Mkwawa a dirigé la résistance du Hehe contre les forces coloniales allemandes. Cependant, nos recherches révèlent qu'Iringa possède de riches archives archéologiques allant de l'âge de pierre au passé récent. Cet article résume les résultats de quatorze années de recherche de notre équipe, le projet archéologique de la région d'Iringa (PARI). Depuis 2006, les membres du PARI ont enregistré 67 sites, ce qui ne fait qu'effleurer la surface du potentiel archéologique de la région. Les sites identifiés présentent des éléments archéologiques caractéristiques de l'âge de pierre précoce, moyen et postérieur, de l'âge du fer, et du passé historique. En outre, un certain nombre de sites culturels importants ont été enregistrés en collaboration avec des participants locaux. Nous considérons que la valeur archéologique et historique d'Iringa est. élevée et espérons que ces travaux inspireront la recherche, le tourisme et la conservation dans cette région importante.

Rock art Conservation and Tourism in Iringa Region, Tanzania

“…A recent study by Miller et al (2020) at Tungamalenga site indicates that local people believe that it is an ancient hominin track, though we nevertheless documented them as cultural sites. Tungamalenga demonstrates that local people have keen awareness of the scientific, cultural, and economic value of LSA archaeological heritage (Miller et al, 2020), thus it needs protection from the Antiquities Department. Therefore, this paper reports on and discusses mainly the current state of conservation and continuing threats to the rock art sites as well as propose mitigation strategies.…”

“…All paintings are executed on the roof. The site shows evidence of vandalism, likely by iron smelters and treasure hunters (Itambu, 2013;Miller et al, 2020). There is a large hole in the shelter probably dug by treasure hunters.…”

“…Most paintings were faint because of physical, biological, and other anthropomorphic agents. Only at Mlamabalsi II were a few identifiable anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figures present, particularly in the eastern wall (Itambu, 2013;Bushozi, 2015;Miller et al, 2020). As noted by Itambu (2013), figures are depicted in red-lines and stripes that are very hard to interpret.…”

“…Numerous rock shelters such as Mlambalasi (Biittner et. al., 2017;Sawchuk & Willoughby, 2015;Miller et. al., 2020) and Kihessakilolo (Itambu, 2013) preserve a Stone Age record of thousands of stone artefacts, animal bones, mollusc shells and land snails as well as ostrich eggshell beads and human remains.…”