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Abstract
The Matobo Hills World Heritage Area in southern Zimbabwe is an acknowledged treasure trove of rock art sites. Despite a century of research and management, there remains much to be done to conserve these sites for future generations. Following a chronological approach, this paper reviews a century of research and conservation efforts, detailing various strategies and achievements by individuals, government agencies, and affiliated organisations. Zimbabwe’s recent economic collapse and ‘land reform’ programme had fundamental impacts on the appreciation and protection of the rock art sites by tourists, local communities, international organisations and government agencies, all of which are explored. The article ends with brief suggestions on how to potentially improve and expand the management of rock art in the Matobo Hills area.
Acknowledgements
Cecilia Hubbard, Clare Hubbard, Elspeth Parry, Jono Waters, Simon Makuvaza, Laurence Shee, and Gavin Stephens have been generous family and colleagues during the writing of this paper. Jason Kersten kindly produced the map. The editors have been extraordinarily helpful, kind, and patient. The opinions expressed in this paper remain my own.