The Mediterranean moment of Namibian rock art, or the legitimisation of colonial presence through heritage-making (1948–1954)

Abstract

While critical heritage studies have emphasised the need to decolonise heritage practices, the legacy of colonial-era heritage-making remains largely underexplored. This article examines the early proclamations of five rock art sites as National Monuments in Namibia during the 1950s. Through an analysis of the historical and political dynamics, alongside the involvement of leading archaeologists with colonial administrations, this study uncovers the intricate relationship between rock art heritage-making and colonial politics. For the first time, drawing on extensive archival research, it traces the emergence of Namibia’s first heritage body, the Historical Monuments Commission, and examines how rock art was instrumentalised within colonial frameworks – the appropriation of precoloniality. By revisiting this critical period, this article offers a nuanced perspective on the tensions between colonial heritage-making and contemporary decolonial efforts.

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